It is these larger cities and their constructions that represent a significant aspect
of Moldova's culture. The urbanization and mass construction
built by the Soviets shifted the people's way of life and priorities and the
architecture and city layouts represent this shift.
Despite the lack of stone and brick structures in most of the country, village architecture
in Moldova is also something to note. The country is dotted
with hundreds of small villages and each can be spotted from miles away by the town's
church steeple. These villages almost always consist of a couple dozen houses, a
shop or two, and a church, which generally sits on a hill or at least reaches above
all the other buildings. This domestic and historic church architecture was primarily
built in the late 1800s or was built in the years since 1992, but the style and
design of these towns has changed little over time. These wooden villages represent
the people, their lifestyle, and their priorities as each town is centered around
a church and the town surrounded by agricultural fields; this is the best representation
of Moldova culture in the past and continues to represent the majority of the population
today.
A final noteworthy point to make in regards to architecture comes in the city of
Soroca. The king of the Roma (gypsies) lives in Soroca
as do many other very powerful and influential Roma. There is one part of the city,
in which the Roma predominantly live, where these housing structures are quite unusual
with an architectural style seen nowhere else. The buildings tend to be constructed
of wooden or metal exteriors and are quite ornate.
Moldova's Top Architectural Sights:
-The modern, Neo-Classical, and Soviet architecture in
Chisinau
-The historic fort and the Roma houses in Soroca
-Soviet architecture in Tiraspol
-Stone cave monastery in Orhei Vechi
Learn More about Moldova's Architecture:
-Gypsy Architecture by Renata Calzi, Patrizio Corno, and Carlo Gianferro.
Axel Menges. 2007. (Specific to Roma Architecture) (Buy
Now
)
-Frederic Chaubin: Cosmic Communist Constructions Photographed by Chaubin,
Frederic. Taschen. 2011. (General Soviet Architecture, not specific to Moldova)
(Buy
Now
)