Moldova: Medieval Monastery Town of Old Orhei including Cricova Winery & tasting

Excursion to Curchi Monastery.
The monastery is an important monument of Bessarabian architecture, consisting of 5 churches. It was founded by two brothers in 1773, although there is a legend that the first church was built by Stephen the Great (but there are no documents confirming this). The monastery is surrounded by forests, orchards, gardens, and the lake. Until now, secular oaks grow here, which are over 200/300 years old.

The Monastery of the Birth of Virgin Mary

This Monastery of the Birth of Virgin Mary is located in Butuceni village and dates back to the 15th- and 16th centuries when there was a little church made from wood 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 course of the next three centuries, there is no evidence of the activity of the hermitages in the area.

Discover the Best Moldova location during your stay. Day tour from Chisinau city with pick up from your hotel. Join us as we discover one of the most beautiful locations in Moldova.  Take an unforgettable journey to  Old Olrhei cave Monasteries from the 15 century and you will be rewarded with dramatic and breathtaking views of Old Orhei lands. 

Discover The most popular destination in our country – and the Orheiul Vechi area!

This nice place can offer everything we need to unwind and enjoy nature and a gallery peace hotel.

We often hear that there are places where we find pure energy, well, here is Orhei Vechi among these enigmatic locations where we can recharge our batteries.

Also during this tour, we will visit a pearl of winemaking in the Republic of Moldova, namely the underground wine gallery Cricova.

Visiting the cultural complex Orheiul Vechi.
The territory of this complex includes several tens of hectares, which includes the old town of Orhei and the village of Butuceni. Here can be found the ruins of some baths, fortifications, dwellings and places of worship from the Tatar-Mongol period as well as from the Moldavian period, thus some settlements dating from the 13th century. Orheiul Vechi is a perfect combination between nature and culture – here is the relief formed by Sarmatian geological structures and the cave monastery together with the terrestrial monastery. It is a unique corner with beautiful views.
It is currently in the process of joining the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Old Orhei Cave Monastery Peștera

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).

The food is 100% Moldovan and very good, the setting colorful, the staff friendly, and its all very affordable.

Lunch in a traditional local guesthouse (OPTIONAL)

Eco-Resort Butuceni

Museums at
Orheiul Vechi Reserve

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 Ethnography Museum located in Butuceni Village preserves the architectural form of a Moldovan country or peasant house in this area specific for the 19th – 20th century, including a thatched roof, carved columns, and colorful exterior. The interior rooms are filled with traditional rural household items, embroidered traditional clothing (“ia”), handmade rugs and other handicrafts, thereby providing visitors a glimpse into a traditional Moldovan country home and its cultural traditions. T

Discover the Best Moldova location during your stay. Day tour from Chisinau city with pick up from your hotel. Join us as we discover one of the most beautiful locations in Moldova.  

Excursion to Cricova winery
Cricova Winery is at the top, being known as the largest underground complex in the world. Amazing are not only its size but also the good quality of the wines. In 1952, when looking for a way to keep wines at optimum temperatures, one of the ideas was to use the grapes from which the stone was extracted. After this decision, it was found out that the wine preserved and matured in Cricova, has a unique quality, since then the history of this winery has started.
Today, Cricova – is the most visited winery in Moldova, which is due to the underground galleries that stretch over a total territory of 80 km, with a unique microclimate, constant all year round.