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Old Orhei Monastery Tour

Tour duration: 3 hours Old Orhei Monastery tour.

Package Includes: Private English / Romanian / Russian tour-guide and transportation

Old Orhei: There are many underground monasteries or similar things on this planet, but not many are embedded in such an interesting setting. The remoteness and the fact that it's easy to defend make it an ideal place for erecting a monastery. Orthodox monks found out about that in the 13th century and founded the Cave Monastery.
	The Moldovan national hero Ştefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great) added a fortress in the 15 th century atop the ruins of an older fortress, but the fortress was completely destroyed - today, only a few stones are left.

The monastery was abandoned during the 18th century. However, since 1997 it is maintained by monks again.
All that you see is a small belfry and a small, yellow church perched high on the limestone cliff.

The small river flows in front of and behind the cliff, so it's not possible to take a short cut across the fields (as we found out after a long walk). Instead of that you will need to follow the road and pass the bridge

When you walk straight ahead after passing the bridge, you will soon get to the small village Butuceni. Walk left and follow the slope - it's the entrance to the peninsula with the monastery. The landscape is just great - green meadows and a small village to your right, the abyss to your left. Right below the belfry there's the hidden entrance to one of the six parts of the monastery. There's also a small underground chapel with a large hole to step outside - there you will find yourself locked somewhere in the middle of the limestone wall. Inside the chapel, a monk, he's as kind as he's old, sells devotional objects. Behind the chapel you will find the dark and wet sleeping chambers of the monks.

When you look around, you will notice that the cliff on the other side of the river is riddled with holes, too. However, that part is not easily accessible and would require a lot of time and probably even special equipment. Walking around the entire valley on the top of the cliff is just great and provides spectacular views of the monastery and the surroundings. The land is slowly falling away to the east - the Dniestr and the lowland behind the river is close.

NOTE:

This tour must be aranged minimum 48 hours in advance

This tour is unavailable during 30th of December - 2nd January

This tour starts at any central located Hotel

To order please contact us: Tel: +373 22 / 229 559 or E-mail: info@cvs.md