Travel deep dive
Monasteries in the Forests of Codru and the Cliffs of the Dniester
Moldova's countryside is dotted with Orthodox monasteries, many of them in beautiful settings: in the beech and oak forests of the Codru hills north-west of Chisinau, and in the limestone cliffs above the Dniester in the north-east. They are working monasteries, often with painted churches, gardens and springs, and a drive between them is also a drive through the vineyards and villages of the country.
Updated 2026-10-08
Capriana and the Codru forests
The Codru hills, the wooded heart of Moldova, rise north-west of the capital, and part of their forest is protected as the Codru nature reserve, the oldest in the country. Capriana, among the oldest monasteries of Moldova, stands in a clearing in these woods, its churches restored and its grounds kept by the monks, and Hincu, further west, lies in a forested valley with springs and ponds.
Curchi
Near the town of Orhei, the monastery of Curchi gathers its churches, bell tower and monastic buildings around a large courtyard, a harmonious ensemble restored after years of neglect. It lies close to Orheiul Vechi, and the two are often seen together.
Saharna on the Dniester
In the north-east, near the town of Rezina, the monastery of Saharna lies in a narrow gorge above the Dniester, among woods, waterfalls and springs, with a hermitage church in the cliff above it. It is a place of pilgrimage, and paths lead up the gorge to viewpoints over the river.
Tipova's cave monastery
Not far from Saharna, on the same stretch of the river, the monastery of Tipova is cut into the high limestone cliffs above the Dniester, a set of cave churches and cells reached by paths and steps along the rock face, with views across the wide river. The climb is steep in places, and sturdy shoes help.
Visiting
Capriana and Hincu are under an hour from Chisinau, Curchi about an hour, and Saharna and Tipova a longer drive to the north-east, so the monasteries make two different day trips by car or with a driver, both part of four days from Chisinau. They are places of worship: visitors dress modestly, women cover their heads, and services are not disturbed.