Great National Assembly Square, Chisinau

The Great National Assembly Square, located in the heart of Chișinău, is a central hub for political, social, and cultural events in Moldova. The square is surrounded by several iconic buildings and monuments, including the Stephen the Great Monument, Monument to the Victims of the Soviet Occupation, Government House, Triumphal Arch, Nativity Cathedral, and The Cathedral Park.

The history of the square dates back to the 19th century when it was a permanent center for government business. In the early 20th century, the square became a site for working demonstrations, strikes, and political rallies. In 1944, the street was transformed into a square, and it was named Victory Square by the new authorities. The square has undergone several changes over the years, including an enlargement in 1987-1988 by the Soviet Union, and a rejection of a proposal to revert the name back to Victory Square by the Moldovan government in 2003.

The Great National Assembly Square has been the site of many historic events, including military parades during the Soviet era in honor of the Great October Socialist Revolution, May Day, and Victory Day. In 1989, the military parade of the Kishinev Garrison in honor of the October Revolution was interrupted by demonstrators during the Moldovan civil unrest. The square has also been the site of rallies, protests, and demonstrations against various political decisions and figures, including the protests against President Vladimir Voronin in 2009 and the 2015-2016 protests in Moldova.

Despite its tumultuous history, the Great National Assembly Square remains an important gathering place for the people of Moldova. Under government legislation, anyone can stage public events in the square with consent from the Chisinau City Hall. The square has hosted a range of events over the years, including the adoption of the Romanian language as a state language in 1989 and a rally supporting the reunification of Moldova and Romania in 2018. The square has also been occupied by political organizations, such as the Union of Officers of Moldova in the run-up to the 2020 Moldovan presidential election.