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The largest park in Chișinău.
The Chișinău Botanical Garden of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova is a botanical research institution and public garden located in the Botanica sector of Chișinău, Moldova. Founded in 1950 by the Russian Academy of Science, the garden was initially established near the Durlești river valley before relocating to its current 104-hectare site in southwestern Chișinău in 1965. Under the directorship of Alexandru Ciubotaru from 1964, the garden was developed with comprehensive planning from 1966 to 1971, featuring specialized zones including a dendrarium, rose garden, rock garden, and decorative lakes for aquatic plants. The institution gained research institute status in 1975 as part of the Academy of Sciences of Moldovan SSR and has made significant contributions to botanical science in Moldova through plant conservation, scientific publications, and the establishment of specialized scientific schools, while also helping design numerous parks throughout Moldova before opening to the public in 2001.
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Muzeul Satului
Next to Botanica, if you head west after you exit the gates, you can find a path which will take you towards a couple of wooden churches built in Northern Moldova and re-assembled in Chișinău. There is a new wooden gate with traditional carvings leading up to the churches.
A 9-hectare park featuring three major lakes with pedal boats and several restaurants. It is possible to walk there to the center, and thus allows you to visit the Cathedral Theodor Tiron on the way. Otherwise, from the city center, reach the more popular southern entrances by trolleybuses 1, 4, or 8, and the less popular Northern side by bus 46.
Muzeul Militar
Containing all sorts of Soviet-era military vehicles, such as tanks and a MIG fighter jet.
This beautiful old theatre has floor seating and two balconies. They have multiple productions running at the same time, so if you are staying for a week, you may have four different plays to choose from, and films in the 'studio'. Comedies tend to communicate better if you don't know the language.
Parcul Catedralei
The centre is adorned with the Nativity Cathedral, the main church for the city. To the southwest is the Triumphal Arch constructed in 1841, which is the centerpiece of the Great National Assembly Square. Across Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard is the Government House. The city's biggest flower market is on the north side of the park along Bănulescu Bodoni Street. At the intersection of Ștefan cel Mare and Bănulescu Bodoni, there is a statue of Ștefan cel Mare.