There are very few structures in the city that actually command attention from its viewers. In Chisinau, one such structure stands majestically at the corner of the neighbourhood street of Parcalab Vlaicu.
The City Hall is one of the most overpowering structures you can encounter in the Downtown neighbourhood of Chisinau. With its colossal size and breath taking architecture, one can only look up in awe at this marvellous structure. Built in the early 20th century, the City Hall boasts a classic Italian Gothic style architecture with a quad- shaped plan.
Designed by architect Mitrofan Ellada and A. I Bernardazzi, the City Hall portrays an elegant façade comprising of arched windows ornately crowned with triangular pediments. The walls of the building draped in a faint shade of beige and white and an elegant clock tower, that completes the look- the City Hall does not disappoint. The building is embellished with decorations that are predominantly medieval Gothic and Renaissance in origin with heavy influence of the Italian style of decorations.
The building suffered terribly during the Second World War. However after painstaking efforts, the City hall of Chisinau was returned to its former glory. Today a plaque dedicated to the architect of the building- Bernazzi, proudly stands on the wall of the City Hall.

Built in the 1880s for the District Court of Justice, this edifice is rather eclectic in style and reveals French influence. The building was eventually extended and stylistically "sobered up" to accommodate railway administration. There are two memorial plaques on the building's facade, one to the architect - Alexander Bernardazzi, and the other - to the revolutionary commander Gregory Kotovsky, who was once tried here for robbery.

Chisinau is a city that boasts a wide range of architectural styles and one of building that will truly grab your attention is the St. Pantelemon Church.
Displaying a distinct Greek style of architecture, the St. Pantelemon Church is a valued monument in Chisinau. In fact, the Church is one of the very few structures in the country to have such a strong stylised Greek influence. During the initial years of its existence, this tiny Church was considered one of the best churches in the whole of the Russian Empire to display such fine Greek architecture. Built in the late 19th century, the chief patron of the Church is St. Pantelemon, a saint who according to the legend was a martyr of the Diocletian persecution in 303 AD.
Designed by architect A. I. Bernardazzi, the Church of Pantelemon boasts a striking Medieval Greek façade. The structure has elegant tall windows divided into three arches that are separated with stone mullions and an octagonal dome that dominates the building giving it an authentic Greek look. Painted in grey with shades of white and decorated with brick, the Church definitely stands out from the plain urban background. Equally breath taking are the interiors of the Church which should not be missed.

One site that is invariably present on every visitors list in Chisinau is the Fine Arts Museum. Not only is it an haven of some of the best works of artists of the region, the structure that houses these works of art is no lesser than a monument itself.
Built in the mid 19th century by the famous architect Alexander Bernardazzi, unlike most historic structures in the city, this building has survived through numerous natural and manmade attempts of destruction. This is one of the reasons why this building is one of the most treasured monuments in Chisinau along with being a reservoir of tales from yesteryears. The structure was used as a school, a gymnasium, a hospital and a warehouse before serving as a home to the collection of Chisinau’s Fine Art.
The Fine Arts Museum was founded in 1939 by the city’s favourite sculptor, Alexandru Plămădeală, and Auguste Baillayre, a French painter, who later became the first director of the Museum. It is said that Alexandru Plămădeală personally selected 160 works of Bessarabian and Romanian artists to set up the first gallery at the Museum of Fine Arts. Apart from providing a feast for one's eyes, the Museum is also associated with many tales of lost art treasures, which are exciting to know about.

Located in Downtown Chisinau, the St. Teodara de la Sihla Church is an Easter Orthodox Church. Founded by Teodor Krupensky and Eufrosinia Veazemsky, the Church was completed in 1895 by its architect Alexander Bernardazzi in Byzantine style and is an architectural masterpiece. The design of this Church is inspired from Russian as well as Ottoman styles of architecture and contains signature eclectic features from the architect.
Earlier a chapel for a girls gymnasium, the construction of the Church involved large compromises with regards to area and design. The structure was created without disturbing any of the neighboring buildings and a high basement was created so that it could still be connected to the gymnasium. The concessions given to nearby buildings have also given the Church a unique look of its own. The façade of the building is also new for a church while slender towers with high pyramids give the structure a mosque like look. Later constructions have given the Church a small yard after the main entrance.
Unforeseen circumstances delayed the consecration of this beautiful Church by 27 long years. Today, the Church functions as the Cathedral of the Metropolis of Bessarabia. The Church is easily accessible and must not be missed if you are in Downtown Chisinau.

The skyline of Chisinau is a blend of urban styled buildings and historic architecture. This coupled with the warmth and hospitality of the locals, is the true essence of Chisinau. A perfect place for a traveller, a wanderer, a romantic and a historian at heart, a trip to Chisinau is one that everyone must take.
With historic monuments scattered all around the city, Chisinau is one of the best places for a day long trek with brief intervals for some breathtaking sights along the city. One such site is the Water Tower; on the Bănulescu-Bodoni Street in Chisinau.This historic and architectural landmark was built at the end of the 19th century. The Water Tower was constructed as an essential part of the city’s water pipeline that once supplied water to a major part of Chisinau. The Water Tower was designed by Alexander Bernadazzi, one of the most renowned architects of the region. Even though the Water Tower was part of an essential part of the city infrastructure, it did not dampen the creativity that went into its design.
Divided into two segments, the upper portion of the Tower was initially built in wood and was destroyed in the earthquake that struck the city in the 20th century. The Tower was later rebuilt between 1980 to 1983 with local rock and brick. Surprisingly, the Tower also served as the Headquarters of the History Museum of Chisinau.

Founded in October 1889, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography is the oldest museum in Moldova. It was established as a museum of agriculture but then expanded its horizons to study the culture of Bessarabia. Today, the museum has grown to become an important scientific and cultural centre of the region and is known world over.
The Museum was brought to its current location after the completion of construction of the building in 1905. Architect V. Tsigankov gave the building its signature frontal façade which consists of triangular pediment supported by two Doric columns. The remainder of the structure with its part stone part plastered walls looks like a semi-basement. Inside, the building is divided into two main sections. One displays the flora and fauna of Moldova and the way it has changed over the years. The other section portrays the people of Moldova and their traditions. One can easily track the progress of the Moldavian people in this section. Galleries exhibit the paleontological, ethnographic and archaeological collections of the Museum.
After visiting the Museum, one can also take a stroll in the oldest botanical gardens of the Bessarabia region located just outside the Museum. One can visit anytime between 1000 and 1700 hours on all days except Monday. A small fee is charged at the entrance and using public transport to reach the Museum is advised.

There is nothing more romantic, than a long walk in the park and if the park is the oldest in the city there can be nothing like it. If you love taking long walks amidst tall trees and green pastures, the Stefan cel Mare Park is for you.
Spread across 17 acres of land, this Park is located right in the heart of the business district of Chisinau. Established in 1818, by the Russian Military Engineers, the Park has come a long way since then. Today the Park also carries the nickname of the “Park for Lovers” as it is one of the most common places where couples meet, chat and spend a little time kindling their relationship.
One of the most fascinating features of the Park is the Avenue of the Classics of Moldovan Literature, which was established in 1958. The Avenue is lined with the busts and statues of heroes of the Moldovan Literature. Apart from them, the Park also houses the statue of Pushkin, who used to stroll for hours in this very park. Pushkin is known as one of the greatest Russian poets and the Founder of Modern Russian Literature. The statue was said to be made by well-known Russian sculptor Alexander Mikhailovich Opekushin in 1885. After installation of the sculpture, Chisinau became the second city after Moscow, to erect a statue in honour of the great poet.