Gilded domes
Over blue walls.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · August Dominus — CC0 · Tanyaofearth — CC BY 4.0 · Lyalika — CC BY-SA 4.0
Ciuflea Monastery is an Orthodox church in central Chișinău, the capital of Moldova. Pale blue and white walls rise to gilded domes that shine in the sun, a paved courtyard is ringed by fir trees, and inside stands a large gilded iconostasis. It was paid for by Anastase Ciufli to carry out the last wish of his brother Teodor; the two were Aromanian merchants who had come from Macedonia to Bessarabia in 1821. Building began in 1854 and the church was consecrated on 6 June 1858, and both brothers are buried in its south wing. It is dedicated to Saint Theodore of Amasea. In 1962, when the Nativity Cathedral was turned into an exhibition hall, this church became the city's main cathedral, and it became a monastery in 2002. You see the facade and domes from the courtyard, then go in to see the iconostasis and the painted decoration. The church looks lovely in the evening when it is lit. The monastery is about 1.7 km in a straight line southeast of central Chișinău. It is a place of worship, so dress modestly; women usually cover their heads, and keep quiet during services.
Over blue walls.
Gold and colour.
Among firs.
Central Chișinău
Organ HallThe Organ Hall is a grand historic building in central Chișinău, on the main bou17 minutes walk
Triumphal ArchThe Triumphal Arch of Chișinău is a sand-coloured stone arch in the city centre,22 minutes walk
Nativity CathedralThe Cathedral of Christ's Nativity is the main Orthodox cathedral of Moldova, in22 minutes walk
National History Museum of MoldovaThe National History Museum of Moldova is one of the country's most important mu23 minutes walkModest clothes; women usually cover their heads.
Ask first, and not during services.