Transnistria Tour from Chisinau: Explore Soviet Time Capsule

Meet your guide at your hotel or the specified location to begin your journey. Travel 1 hour and 20 minutes to a Soviet-era destination, crossing the border along the way. Please remember to carry your passport, as you will need to pass through passport control.

The military-historical memorial complex in Bendery was opened on October 7, 2008.

It was erected on the site of an old military cemetery, where the remains of many soldiers of the Russian Imperial Army who died in the wars of the 18th and 20th centuries were laid to rest.

The Bendery Fortress is one of the oldest and most impressive historical structures in the region, standing proudly on the banks of the Dniester River. Its story stretches back more than 700 years, and every stone holds echoes of empires, battles, and ancient trade routes.

Long before the fortress was rebuilt by the Ottomans, this strategic site was already known to medieval explorers. In the 13th century, Genoese merchants and sailors navigated up the Dniester from the Black Sea, traveling from the port of Akkerman (Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi) to trade goods, spices, and metalwork. Their presence marked this area as a key commercial gateway between Europe and the East.

Today, the fortress stands beautifully restored, offering:

Impressive medieval walls and towers

Panoramic views over the river and city

Historical exhibitions and artifacts

Paths through courtyards once used by soldiers and merchants

Visiting Bendery Fortress feels like stepping into the pages of history—a journey through medieval trade, Ottoman expansion, and the military architecture of past centuries.

The Triumphal Arch appeared in Bendery on Ermakov Street, almost at the entrance to the city, on October 7, 2008, on the eve of the city’s 600th anniversary.

Located opposite the Gorky cinema.

In 1912, residents of Bendery celebrated the centenary of the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 and the incorporation of Bessarabia into Russia. Inauguration of a monument to Russian Glory was timed to this date.

In  1992, the city entrance from Tiraspol became a place of heavy fighting of the defenders of Pridnestrovie with the invading armed units of Moldova.

It was decided to commemorate the fallen residents of Bendery here – at the Memorial of Commemoration and Sorrow.

On June 13, 2012 the President of the PMR bestowed the honourary title of “City of Military Glory” to Bendery for courage, perseverance and mass heroism of the defenders of the city in their struggle for freedom and independence of the Fatherland.

The stele “City of Military Glory” was unveiled in Bendery on May 6, 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The construction is installed in front of the Memorial of Commemoration and Sorrow, the monument is clearly visible to all entering Bendery and now serves as its architectural landmark.

Lunch at a Soviet-style restaurant – “Back to the USSR” (40 minutes)
Enjoy traditional local dishes in an authentic Soviet-era canteen, offering a nostalgic atmosphere and classic flavors from the past.

The hallmark of Tiraspol is the monument to Alexander Suvorov with which the grateful descendants immortalized the memory of their city founder.

The monument was inaugurated over 40 years ago, on November 23, 1979, on the eve of great commander’s birthday celebration. The authors of the 9-meter bronze statue were brothers Vladimir and Valentin Artamonov, while the monument design was performed by architects L. Druzhinin and Yu.

The Glory Memorial appeared on the central square of Tiraspol near the Dniester River in 1972. The authors of the project were architects Garry Fаif and Leonid Fishbein.

This monumental building was built in 1983 for the Tiraspol City Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. A long series of marble steps leads to a huge building in the historical center of Tiraspol, the building itself clearly represents architectural trends of the late USSR.

This is one of the most recognizable and magnificent buildings in Tiraspol. Its parameters are impressive: more than 200 rooms and the area of

the main hall is almost 300 square meters. Unlike many of the buildings of the Stalinist empire in the republics of the former USSR, this House of Soviets retained all its rich decoration and Soviet symbols.

 the Monument to Catherine the Great, the Memorial of Glory (a war memorial), and a T-34 tank

Explore the vibrant local market and sample traditional foods while observing how locals sell fresh, homegrown products—an authentic glimpse into everyday life and a traditional way of making a living.

Gagarin Boulevard is located next to the Pridnestrovian State University and Cyril and Methodius Cultural and Educational Center, which makes it a traditional students’ place for rest.

After the tour, enjoy a safe and comfortable drive back to Chisinau.