Medieval History Tour in Moldova: Old Orhei & Curchi Monastery

Pick-up & Welcome
We start with a comfortable pick-up from your accommodation in Chișinău, where you’ll be warmly greeted by your professional local guide and begin an unforgettable journey.

This tour is truly the best that Moldova has to offer today.

Our adventure takes us to Old Orhei (Orheiul Vechi), the country’s most iconic historical and cultural landmark. Set among dramatic limestone cliffs above the Răut River valley, Old Orhei showcases an extraordinary collection of archaeological treasures, cave monasteries and monastic complexes, medieval ruins, and fascinating museums.

Together, these sites reveal the many layers of civilizations, cultures, and peoples who have lived here — from prehistoric times through the medieval period and into the present day. Walking through Old Orhei is like stepping back in time, where every path and stone tells a story waiting to be discovered.

The architectural ensemble of the Medieval Mosque and Caravanserai was constructed during the period of Mongol domination between 1350 and 1365. This complex reflects the cultural, religious, and commercial life of the era, combining sacred architecture with facilities that supported long-distance trade.

Old Orhei is one of the most iconic destinations in the Republic of Moldova thanks to its combination of historical sites and cave monasteries, together with its unique natural landscapes and biodiversity. You might know Moldovan traditions, the Moldovan way of being, and local cuisine, and you might even feel on your skin how country life in Moldova is….all in a single weekend spent in Butuceni. And we think that all the feelings and emotions you’ve gathered there will make you return for a country weekend in the country.

Butuceni is a village like many other villages in Moldova, which still breaths the smell of mowed grass, with sheep, cattle, or horses in valleys-but at the same time it is a neat and preserved village, an amazing place through unique landscapes created by nature for centuries, and in which people live their lives the way their grandparents did, living room for modernization, but preserving tradition. You may have visited Butuceni, heard reviews from friends or online,or this village has become a popularized and developed touristic destination, which hosts thousands of tourists every year, giving them extensive exploration opportunities and unique events. Here are some goals and opportunities to visit Old Orhei and Butuceni villages. Butuceni Village .

Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) has two museums in the village of Butuceni that allow visitors to go deeper into the history and culture of the area. The Museum of Archeology and Anthropology to help visitors understand the area’s vast history and archeological findings from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages through different historical exhibitions. The Ethnography Museum located n a traditional Moldovan country house preserves the cultural and rural traditions of this area from the 19th to 20th centuries.

This Monastery of the Birth of the Virgin Mary is located in Butuceni village and dates back to the 15th- and 16th centuries, when there was a small wooden church at the site of the current building. The work of the monastery is closely linked to that of the Peștera (the Cave) hermitage. Over the next three centuries, there is no evidence of the activity of the hermitages in the area.

By the end of the 19th century. the monastic life in the region began to be revived. In 1905, the Monastery of the Birth of Virgin Mary was sanctified and reopened. However, after the establishment of the Soviet regime, the Monastery of the Birth of Virgin Mary, including the hermitage of the cave, was converted into an open air museum.

The Old Orhei cave monastery “Peştera” located at the northern edge of Butuceni village is one of the main attractions for visitors to Orheiul Vechi. The monastic complex dates back to the 15th century and consists of two basic units: the church and the body of monastic cells. Above the monastic complex, on the surface of the Butuceni promontory (ridge) is installed a stone cross (17th-18th centuries) and Bell Tower (1820).

Welcome to Eco-Resort Butuceni, one of the most picturesque places in Moldova. Our experiences have been created to give you the most pleasant stay in our complex. You enjoy a gastronomic experience, or participate in a culinary master-class offered by the most welcoming chefs. Moreover, we also have a mini zoo where you can spend a nice day with the whole family.