Moldova – Transnistria, Dec 2025

1 Comment / Europe, Moldova

Romania-Moldova

I had time to explore Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, on my own before the group tour began. In the Military History museum, I learned that the tiny Moldova actively participated in the Soviet-Afghan war and that hundreds of its citizens got killed there.

The entrance to the museum
The entrance to the museum
The museum is also full of Soviet memorabilia
The museum is also full of Soviet memorabilia

A separate exhibit in the museum is dedicated to another military conflict that happened when Transnistria declared its independence from Moldova. Chisinau has a good number of memorials that honor the people who died during that conflict. Looking ahead, I can say that we saw in Transnistria similar memorials, only they are for those who fought for their independence.

One of the memorials in Chisinau
One of the memorials in Chisinau

I was in Chisinau in 1980, that is 45 years ago. Back then, I did not own a camera, and cellphones did not exist. Without photos, my memory did not retain anything from that visit. Still, I believe that the city has not changed much. Of course, it has added shopping malls, modern buildings, new monuments, and churches that were prohibited in Soviet times and that now sprang up like mushrooms. However, reminders of the Soviet past are everywhere.

One of the typical Soviet features is this daily flea market, or so called ‘barakholka’, where one can find practically anything. The building in the background is the railway station. The monument in front of it is The Train of Pain – Memorial to Victims of Stalinist Repression.
One of the typical Soviet features is this daily flea market, or so called ‘barakholka’, where one can find practically anything. The building in the background is the railway station. The monument in front of it is The Train of Pain – Memorial to Victims of Stalinist Repression.
I probably would have left Chisinau without impressive memories again if it had not been the New Year Eve. The city was fantastically decorated for this occasion.
I probably would have left Chisinau without impressive memories again if it had not been the New Year Eve. The city was fantastically decorated for this occasion.
Here is something else that I liked – an old pretty mansion that in the 19th century was a Masonic lodge
Here is something else that I liked – an old pretty mansion that in the 19th century was a Masonic lodge

The Young Pioneer Tours group got together in the evening for dinner at the Beer House restaurant. Moldavian food was excellent; the wine was even better. Next morning, we all traveled by bus to the country that does not exist. Transnistria declared its independence 35 years ago. Since then, nobody officially recognized it, not even Russia.

Tiraspol, 31 Dec 2025

1 thought on “Moldova – Transnistria, Dec 2025”

  1. Pingback: Tiraspol, Transnistria, 31 Dec 2025 - Break the Crust

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