Curchi Monastery, Moldova

Curchi Monastery is the largest, and probably the most beautiful, monastery in Moldova.  It is about 55 km (34 miles) from Chişinău; about 20 km (12.5 miles) from Orheiul Vechi.


The monastery was founded in 1773.  It was closed in 1958 and during the Soviet-era the monastery was turned in to a psychiatric hospital.  In 1999, the facility was abandoned.  In 2002, the complex was given to the Orthodox Church of Moldova and reopened.

The monastery is made up of five churches, abbeys, cells and a refectory.  The largest and most impressive cathedral was built between 1866 and 1872.  It is the highest cathedral in Moldova.  It is a twin of the St. Andrew the First Called cathedral in Kiev.