Stephen the Great Park, Chisinau (must see)

Now, let me show you one of the places I’ve always enjoyed in central Chișinău. Over the years, I’ve walked through here countless times.

Ștefan cel Mare Park - the place where Chișinău seems to slow down. Even though it sits right in the heart of the city, with the Government House on one side and Parliament on the other, this 17-acre green space feels remarkably calm.

This is the oldest public park in Chișinău, laid out in 1818 by Russian military engineers. Some of the trees here are said to be nearly 200 years old, with nearly 50 different species of trees and shrubs planted here.

As we head inside toward the center, there are several paths meeting there around the fountain. Nearby, we'll find a bronze bust standing high on a granite column. This is Alexander Pushkin, the Russian poet who spent several years in exile in Chișinău in the 1820s. His monument, funded through public subscription, was unveiled in 1885, and for many years the park itself was known as Pushkin Park. Even today, if a local says, “Let’s meet by Pushkin,” this is where they mean.

Our next attraction here is the long, straight walkway cutting through the park from south to north, lined on both sides with bust sculptures. This is the Alley of Classics, honoring important writers and cultural personalities of both Moldova and Romania.

Around the middle, you’ll find Mihai Eminescu, one of the most important poets in Romanian literature. Take a closer look at the left side of his head. There’s a curious local story that the sculptor Lazăr Dubinovschi worked elements of his own profile - including his chin, nose, and forehead - into the poet’s hair. See if you can spot them.

Farther along, toward the northern end, you’ll find Grigore Vieru, one of Moldova’s best-known modern poets.

There are also a few smaller curiosities to look out for in the park, including two marble lions lying guard near the fountain. Their exact history is uncertain, although local tradition says they may have come from a manor destroyed during World War II.

Still, beyond all that history, this is very much a local park. People come here to read, meet friends, sit in the shade, or spend some time with someone special. This, in turn, explains the park's affectionate nickname: the “lovers’ park.”