#Exhibit of the Month

The work In Memoriam. In Memory of the Heroes Who Fell at the Nistru (1992) was developed within the Center for Culture and Military History and published under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Bureau for Reintegration, and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova. Authors: Gheorghe Bălan, Vitalie Ciobanu, Gheorghe Cojocaru.

This work provides a retrospective of the events that led to the outbreak of the war on the Nistru, accompanied by photographs of the heroes who lost their lives in the battles to defend the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.

On March 2, 1992, the political conflict in the Nistru region escalated into a true fratricidal war. Under the fabricated pretext of "defending Russia's southern borders," political adventurers from the former Soviet metropolis encouraged Transnistrian separatism by arming secessionist paramilitary groups. At the same time, thousands of mercenary Cossacks and prisoners released early from jails, along with tanks and missiles, were sent against Independent Moldova, in a desperate attempt to revive the fallen empire.

Russia's undeclared war against the Republic of Moldova left behind hundreds of dead and wounded, shattered families, and villages in ruins. More than 50,000 peaceful residents from the conflict zone were forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge from the horrors of war.

For the sake of freedom and the future, Moldova's defenders faced death, enduring the hardships and humiliations of war.

During the Nistru war, 198 soldiers of the National Army and 89 personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs lost their lives, while 40 combatants went missing without a trace, and nearly 300 were left disabled.

Virtual Tour

Exhibitions

„Millennia of civilizations at Orheiul Vechi. 70 years of archaeological research”

21 September 2017 - 31 December 2018

The National Museum of History of Moldova opened on 21 September the exhibition "Millennia of civilization at Orheiul Vechi. 70 years of archaeological research". The event is organized as part of the European Heritage Days.

In 2017 are celebrated 70 years since the beginning of archaeological research in the micro zone of Orheiul Vechi. Center of thousands of years of history, heart and soul of Moldova, the Orheiul Vechi Cultural and Natural Reservation is a unique place where the elements of history and archaeology, ethnography and traditional rural architecture, cult places of worship and unforgettable images of the landscape have merged. The beginning of research at this site conducted by researcher Gh.D. Smirnov date back to postwar years of 1947-1948. Later, at this site worked well-known Moldovan archaeologists I. Niculiță, P. Bârnea, Gh. Postică, T. Reaboi, E. Abâzova, T. Arnăut, O. Munteanu, A. Zanoci etc. For many archaeologists in the Republic of Moldova, the archaeological campaigns in Orheiul Vechi became a visit card for future professional activity.

The originality of the exhibition dedicated to Orheiul Vechi consists in the fact that most of the presented pieces are exhibited for the first time; however they have been long known and studied in the science community.

The exhibition brings together a series of objects belonging to different civilizations that have existed here, being structured in two compartments: the ancient period in Orheiul Vechi and the medieval period.

The first compartment includes archaeological remains discovered on the territory of the Butuceni Getae fortress. They represent various objects from the material culture of the native population, such as clay pots, tools, weapons and cult objects. The commercial relations they had with the Greek merchants are expressed through the many fragments of Greek vessels, various containers for keeping products and everyday vessels. The impressive amount of Greek amphorae of the total ceramic fragments found (about 20%) demonstrates the importance and significance of this Getae fortress for the barbarian world in the given region along with the discovery of the first and only sanctuary - a Getae calendar which confirms the importance of this habitat as a political, social and economic center of the Getae communities in the region.

The second compartment is dedicated to the medieval civilization from Orheiul Vechi. Archaeological research confirmed the urban character of the settlement during the Golden Horde (14th century) and its name - Şehr al-cedid // New Town. The collection of materials includes luxury ceramic pots, a Chinese porcelain bowl, Kashin-type import pots specific for the Golden Horde, aqueduct tubes, bone and metal weapons and tools. The two large warehouses found at Orheiul Vechi are exhibited: one consisting of agricultural pieces and the other of harness parts and household objects. Monetary discovery is represented by local issues associated with coins coming from different states, but also moneyboxes, weights, plates for scales.

The Moldavian period (15th - 16th centuries) is represented by ceramic vessels, agricultural tools and household appliances made of metal, stone, bone and ceramics, as well as weapons, tiles, crosses and candlesticks. A special place in the exhibition belongs to two bronze cannons from the 15th century which are unique pieces for the entire Romanian space.

In the exhibition are displayed also a series of pictures that reflect the process of archaeological research, as well as photographs of the most beautiful artifacts and landscapes of Orheiul Orhei.