The hike will start at the Curchi monastery, district Orhei, 62 km North-east from Chisinau on the edge of a forest.

Curchi monastery is considered to be one of the most beautiful and famous Basarabian monasteries. In Soviet time religious life here was closed in 1958, buildings used as psychiatry clinic with narcologycal department. Since 2002 it was returned back to the Orthodox Church of Moldova.

There are at least two legends regarding establishment of the monastery, both of them talk about satifactio (expiation of sins) by its founder, Iordache Curchi. First church was built by him out of wood on his own land in 1773. Between 1862-1872 was built a cathedral upon design of the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Being built in Baroque style, it is the tallest cathedral in Moldova - 57 meters, similar to "St.Andrew" Cathedral in Kiev. During WWII there was a fire, which destroyed all the inside paintings and the sanctuary. After a strong bombardment, two of the four bell-towers were destroyed. The sanctuary was restored in 2000 by Romanian craftsmen. Painting of the cathedral was done in 1943. Next restoration was done only in 1993.

In 2006, under patronage of the former President of the Republic of Moldova, was organized a large fund-raising campaign to support the restoration of the monastery. Total cost of restoration is estimated as five million dollars.

After admiring recently restored monastery, we will take a path over forested hills full of wildlife. In about 2 hours we reach the wild pigs farm, located in the forest near the house of forest ranger. After that in about 0,5 hours we reach our final destination - village Donici.

Village Donici (formerly Bezeni) is located in a picturesque zone of codru forest. It is a birthplace of the famous Moldovan fabulist Alexandr Donici (19.01.1806 - 21.01.1865), classic of Romanian literature. Since 1976 in the family estate of Donici operates a museum, which exhibits pieces related to life and activity of the fabulist. Around the house there is a small park, nearby is Donici family church. It was built by father of the writer. In the vicinity there is family graveyard and water spring "Stanca", arranged by family of Dumitru and Elena Donici. In his youth Alexandr Donici started military career, graduating from respective Lyceum in Petersburg (Russia), after that returning home and working initially in Chisinau, later in Iasi, Piatra Neamt. He is working as a lawyer, at the same time writing a lot. He was inspired by stories of La Fontaine and I.Krylov. In 1840 and 1842 he is publishing two books of "Stories", which included his own works and translations. In collaboration with C.Negruti he is translating and publishing "Satire and other poetry works" by Dmitrie Cantemir, translates A.Pushkin poem "Gipsy" (1837) and other works of world literature classics.

Approx. length of the trail 5 km. Typical duration: 7 hours = 1,5 hours at Curchi monastery + 2,5 hours hike through the forest + 1 hour lunch and sightseeing + 2 hours round-trip transport from Chisinau

You need to have hiking shoes and comfortable hiking clothing, small backpack. Food and water (min. 1,5 liter) - on your own.

Distance from Chisinau : 62 km

Price options (per person), Lei MD :

To make a reservation please pay a non-refundable deposit of 100 lei.

Price includes transportation, tour with English-speaking guide.

Contact person - Leonid (tel. 0,69258006)

Departure at 9:00 from intersection of Pushkin and Columna streets, at the corner of the Cathedral park (see map below). Return to the same place by 16:00.