Tighina fortress - Tiraspol - Cricova Winery

Route: Chisinau - Tighina fortress - Tiraspol - Cricova Winery - Chisinau
Duration: 6 h
First stop of our tour will be Tighina fortress which was built in one the most powerful of the medieval cities of Moldova – Tighina, which was an important trade outpost. Originally built as a small wooden fort by Stefan cel Mare, it was fortified with stone during Petru Rares’ rule, just was Soroca fortress. In 1538, the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent conquered the town, and renamed it Bender. Its fortifications were developed into a full fortress under the same name under the supervision of the Turkish architect Koji Mimar Sinan. The Ottomans used it to keep the pressure on Moldavia. Bender Fortress is an architectural ensemble of irregular quadrilateral plan, surrounded by wide walls, 2-3 meters thick, made of limestone and brick. The fortress has 10 artillery bastions at the corners, 11 towers, and 6 gates. It is surrounded by a moat of stone. After the last battle of the Russo–Turkish War, in 1806 the city was acquired by the imperial Russian military authorities, becoming “legitimate” master here in 1812, after the liberation of Bessarabia. Our next stop will be at Tiraspol which is the biggest city in Transnistria. The city is located on the eastern bank of the Nistru River. The modern city of Tiraspol was founded by the Russian generalissimo Alexander Suvorov in 1792, although the area had been inhabited for thousands of years by varying ethnic groups. The capital Tiraspol is one of the most fascinating places you will ever visit. As soon as you arrive in the city, you will immediately notice that it is filled with Soviet monuments back from the days of USSR; that’s why it is usually called an open-air museum or a Soviet theme park. Get ready for an exciting journey into the past, and take a stroll down Tiraspol’s main street to face the parliamentary building with the impressive Lenin statue. Take a look at the soviet-style banners and russian T-34 tank before visiting the war memorial, where you will also find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, flanked by the eternal flame. Last but not least, do not miss the neo-classical House of Soviets at the eastern end of the boulevard. Next on the itinerary is Cricova Winery, situated at a depth of 50-80 meters, representing a real underground city. The Moldavian cellars  are so big you need to drive through them. You will also find Herman Goering’s private collection, taken by the Red Army from Berlin in 1945. Considered to be the pearl of Moldovan winemaking, Cricova is the founder of production of high-quality elite wines. The influence of Ancient Greece and the Roman period is reflected in the reliefs you will discover inside the winery. In this unique place, you will have to opportunity to discover the steps to wine tasting and try a selection of the great range of wines. Optionally, you may choose to enjoy a delicious lunch in this fantastic place. After we will back to Chisinau.
Price: per person