Discover Soldanesti: Culture and Nature

Soldanesti brings together a rich local history, remarkable buildings and striking landscapes. Cultural highlights include churches, museums, literature and local traditions; its natural attractions range from protected areas to rock formations and a gorge. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on cultural history or natural landmarks.

Cultural History in Places and Buildings

Near Cobâlea stands the oak known as “Stejarul lui Ștefan cel Mare,” which legend associates with Ștefan cel Mare. Two churches showcase the area’s architectural history: the bell tower in Vadul Rașcov was built in the 17th century by anonymous craftsmen in the style of medieval Moldovan architecture. The stone church in Cobîlea was built between 1806 and 1812. In Vadul-Rașcov, the Jewish cemetery is also among the Republic of Moldova’s state-protected monuments.

Other places of remembrance offer a different perspective. The “Casa Memorială Dumitru Matcovschi” memorial museum is located in Vadul lui Rașcov. The Șoldănești History and Ethnography Museum is housed in the Rîșleacov manor house; the manor and its outbuildings are still preserved. Cuhureștii de Sus is known for an old church and notable cultural heritage.

Literature, Crafts and Distinctive Local Features

The “Dumitru Matcovschi” poetry and song festival is dedicated to literature and music. It takes place annually in the poet’s home village. The 16 November 2025 edition was held in Vadul-Rașcov, in Șoldănești District. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates for the relevant year.

Other localities also have distinctive cultural features. Rogojeni is known for traditional underground dwellings called “bordeie.” Cotiujenii Mari is associated with local craftspeople and traditions. Olișcani is the site of an underground Soviet bunker. Cușelăuca and Dobrușa are associated with monasteries of particular spiritual significance. Together, these places offer no single type of attraction: they range from traditional architecture and crafts to literature, religious heritage and more recent history.

Nature Between Protected Areas and Rock Formations

Natural and cultural attractions in Șoldănești District include the Canionul Șoldănești, the rock complex in the village of Socola and the “Climăuții de Jos” landscape reserve. The “Profilul Geologic Socola” geological and paleontological natural monument is a state-protected area of 10 hectares southwest of Socola. The Socola rock complex extends across four levels along more than seven kilometers of riverbank.

The Climăuții de Jos landscape reserve covers 668 hectares. It lies south of the village of Climăuții de Jos, along the lower course of the Cușmirca stream. The stream’s lower gorge has waterfalls and pools, including “Groapa Lidiei,” which is more than four meters deep. Access conditions at individual natural sites can vary. The reserve, geological profile and gorge each offer a different focus: when planning your trip, you can choose between protected landscapes, rock formations and the gorge’s water features.

Travel Interests and Finding Accommodation

The area’s transport history also provides regional context: in the past, the railway station connected the Transnistrian region with northern Moldova. If you are mainly interested in architectural history, literature and local culture, you will have different priorities than if your trip focuses on geology and landscapes. This can help you tailor your hotel search to the purpose of your trip rather than treating all the cultural and natural attractions as one itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Chipeșca, Straseni, Călărași District, Ștefan Vodă District, Anenii Noi, Hîncești District, Rezina, Glodeni District.

For the main travel overview: Moldova.