Nature Reserves and Monuments

The scientific reserve "Prutul de Jos" is located in the floodplain of the Prut River, on the western part of Slobozia Mare village, covering an area of 1755.4 ha. The reserve includes the Beleu Lake, which covers 628 ha (1/3 of the total area of the reserve). The reserve was created to protect the flora and fauna of Beleu Lake and its surrounding floodplain meadows, as well as to create favorable conditions for the reproduction of rare and endangered plant species. Due to the impressive diversity of habitats and forms of life that it supports in a relatively small area, the "Prutul de Jos" Scientific Reserve is a true museum of biodiversity, of invaluable value for the universal natural heritage.

Address: Slobozia Mare village, Cahul district, Nuferilor street, no.1, MD 5320. Tel: +373 299 60159.

Oak trees of Doina village – they are 108 years old and over 20 meters tall. They are located in the center of Doina village. Locals say that in 1908, when the Germans came to the village, all the oak trees were cut down, leaving only these two.

MUSEUMS

Cahul Region Museum – was founded on July 30, 1958, and began its activity on August 1, 1958. It is the largest and most important museum in southern Moldova. The museum's collection includes approximately 40,000 items related to the region's history, divided into three sections – history, natural sciences, and ethnography. A particular interest is the Ethnographic Complex, opened in 1979, consisting of a peasant house, a barn, and a forge from the late 19th – early 20th century. This homestead is an open-air museum that reconstructs the ethnographic type of housing in the area and highlights aspects of rural life in southern Moldova.

Address: Cahul city, L. Tolstoi street, 4. Tel: +373 299 22269.

History and Ethnography Museum of Slobozia Mare village – features several thematic rooms: Lake Beleu, the history of the village, craft objects, a room in memory of those lost during the famine and World War II, as well as much information and documents about the local socio-economic and cultural development.

Address: Slobozia Mare village, Cahul district. Tel: +373 299 60476

Museum of Bread, Văleni village – this is the place where tourists are served with lemon balm tea – cold mint and honey, with freshly baked bread and traditional pastries (pigeons) on the hearth, having the opportunity to participate in traditional games with the grandmother who plays the drum, alongside the grandfather, with a wedding ritual performance. The museum was established in 2007 and presents around 20 types of traditional bread from the area.

Address: Văleni village, Cahul district. Tel: +373 79575622

Traditional Peasant Court “Casa Dorului” – is a museum house arranged in the 19th-century style with three specific rooms: the large house, the kitchen, and the living room. Here, you can sit at the weaving loom, tie a spindle to your waist, and spin a few fibers, weave some rows on a rug, or stir in a boiling pot with a wooden spoon. The museum has been open to visitors since 2013. The most representative exhibits:

• carpets and traditional costumes over 100 years old;
• peasant work tools – plow, wooden roller from the 19th century;
• wooden objects – troughs, pestle, ceramic vessels from the 19th century;
• functional weaving loom from the 19th century.

Address: Văleni village, Cahul district. Tel: +(373) 79017151.

CHURCHES

Cathedral of “St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel”, Cahul – was built in 1850 by the initiative of the military governor of Bessarabia, Pavel Fiodorov. Since its establishment and until today, the church building has been the compositional center of Cahul city. During the Soviet era, in the period of aggressive atheist propaganda, under difficult conditions, the Cathedral faced the fate of many churches in the country, being closed and subjected to slow degradation. From 1962 to 1989, the church did not function. Despite these hard times, the building of the cathedral was saved thanks to the civic position taken by the administration of the Cahul Region Museum, which intervened with multiple appeals to the higher authorities of the time to protect this building as an architectural monument from the 19th century. From 1970 to 1977 (the year of a powerful earthquake in March that caused severe damage to the cathedral), the church building housed a branch of the museum – the Art Gallery. In 1989, when the Cathedral resumed its divine service, the church was repaired. Three large icons, saved by the museum director, were returned to the church.

Address: Cahul city, L. Tolstoi street, 1. Tel: +373 299 32761.

Old Ritual Church of “The Protection of the Mother of God”, Cahul – Followers of the Old Rite, the Lipovans, built their place of worship in Cahul (probably in 1856-1857). The church was built from red brick with colored stained glass windows and iron doors, with a small cell and library that no longer exist. The bell tower collapsed, and the wall paintings were not preserved in their original form. After being repaired in 1913, the church was closed in 1963, and the nearby cemetery, where “soldiers of the Russo-Turkish wars were buried in common graves,” was also demolished. In 1989, driven by the president of the religious community at the time, the reconstruction and restoration of the church began, and the works were completed in 1994.

CULTURAL-HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Trajan's Mound – a monument of history and archaeology of international importance, located at the exit of the village Vadul lui Isac. It was built in the 2nd century BC during the reign of Roman Emperor Trajan. It was constructed as a mound (defensive structure) to protect the northeastern borders of the Roman Empire. The height of the mound does not exceed 1.5-3 meters.

Petru Rareș's Path, village Văleni – a truly picturesque place that can be capitalized on for tourism is Petru Rareș's Path in Văleni, the road on which Petru Rareș passed with fish towards Galați, also called “The Fish Road”. The legend says that it was here when he learned of his coronation.

The Republican Musical-Dramatic Theater “B.P. Hasdeu”, Cahul – founded in 1987, it is the only theater in southern Moldova. Today, the theater has gained international recognition due to its participation in various theater festivals, from which it has received numerous awards. “The Cahul theater… contributes to the refinement of spoken language, shapes the taste for art for genuine audiences. But, most importantly, it supports the idea of nationality and that of national culture – a work deserving of the highest praise.” (Valentin Silvestru).

B.P. Hasdeu State University, Cahul – it is a symbol of the city, built in the 1950s, representing a true architectural monument, preserving the defining elements of those times. The university's location in the city center, Independence Square, the Abaca with three pigeons, and the fountains, all together have become a special place for the city's residents and its visitors, who never miss the opportunity to immortalize this view.

LEISURE ZONES AND CENTERS

La Cotihana – located in the village of Cotihana. The originality of this area lies in preserving its natural characteristics and minimal human intervention. Services offered: opportunities for fishing, barbecue preparation, various national dishes cooked on the grill or in the oven, including fish, poultry, vegetables, and herbs grown purely organically on the site. The area has 12-seat gazebos on the water, a terrace for 60 people, swimming pools for children and adults, simple cottages for accommodation, 4 lakes with fish and crayfish, and a boat.

Lake Frumoasa – located in Cahul city. Services offered include boat rides, jet ski rides, volleyball courts, barbecue, terrace, and a children’s pool.

Lake Manta is the largest lake in Moldova, with an area of 2100 ha. The aquatic life here includes various species of fish, birds, animals, and aquatic plants, which can be viewed during boat trips.

La Izvoare – located near the village of Tartaul de Salcie. It is unique due to the presence of several springs in the area, ten in total, each named: The Wonder Spring, Resan, The Tractorists’ Spring, The Drivers’ Spring... They are named in memory of those who carried out the works to arrange the springs. Various sports and cultural activities take place here, along with events organized for the village feast and more. The area is equipped with terraces for individual and collective rest. Access to this area is free.

Hora Square – every Sunday, the people of Cahul and the city’s visitors gather to dance the hora, a traditional Moldovan circle dance. Various activities take place here, including sports competitions, concerts, and national and international festivals.

Giurgiulești International Free Port (PILG), which represents the "seventh International Maritime Corridor connecting Europe and Asia". PILG benefits from a strategic location at the borders of Moldova with Romania and Ukraine. It is the only fluvio-maritime point for distribution and transshipment into/from Moldova and a regional logistics center at the European Union border, with access to land, rail, river, and sea transport routes, as well as an excellent zone for business development due to its strategic positioning, trinodal transport infrastructure, cost-effective environment, and unique fiscal and customs regime.

Balneary Resort "Nufărul Alb" is a sanatorium with a tradition in medical arts, a modern health recovery center, and includes a clinic, a hotel complex, a dining block, and cultural-entertainment facilities. The mineral water from Cahul is used for the treatment of nervous, gynecological, cardiovascular, locomotor system diseases, and skin conditions. Services include: swimming pool, sauna, bar, dance floor, sports field, billiard and table games room, cinema hall, post office, currency exchange, hairdresser, and general stores.

WINE FACTORIES

CULTURAL EVENTS AND ARTISTIC GROUPS
Artistic Groups

• Choreographic Studio "Iuventa", Cahul – has a varied repertoire: folk choreographic compositions, stylized, contemporary stage dance, sports and modern dance. The repertoire is characterized by a variety of colors, temperament, and rhythms. It participates in national and international festivals and competitions (Romania, Spain, Turkey, France, Bulgaria, Poland). Artistic director: Panașescu Rodica.

• Music and Dance Ensemble "Nufărul", Cahul – was founded in March 1996 by choreographer Ion Arabadji. The ensemble members are children aged 6 to 13 years. Their work and talent were first appreciated abroad in the second year of activity, when they participated in an international festival in Pleven, Bulgaria (1998). They have also had the honor to participate in many other national and international festivals, including Slovakia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Romania. In 1998, "Nufărul" participated in the republican festival "La vatra horelor" in Chisinau, where they won second place, returning two years later to win the grand prize. The ensemble continues to shine on big and small stages with a wide repertoire of dances from the southern part of Moldova. Eager to bring fame to their hometown, they participate whenever possible in festivals such as: International Festival "Nufărul Alb" in Cahul, International Children's Dance Festival "Bobocelul", International Festival "Dobrogea – Proud Garden" in Romania, etc.

• Folk Ensemble "Pelinița", Pelinei – has been active since the 1970s but received the title of model artistic ensemble in 2012. The ensemble participates in various cultural activities organized locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The repertoire of the artistic formation is diverse: thematic and traditional songs, theatricalized customs. The following customs are theatricalized: wedding, fuioarele, bath, caloianul, and paparuda. The collective involves young amateurs who have the opportunity to promote folklore, customs, and traditions of the Moldovan people. Artistic director: Loghin Maria.

• Vocal Ensemble "Opincuța", Zîrnești – was founded in 1989 with the primary goal of preserving and promoting folklore, traditions, and customs. It is an amateur ensemble with a long and rich popular tradition, made up of vocalists and instrumentalists, lovers of authentic folklore. The ensemble participates in all activities in Zîrnești as well as promoting the spiritual and material values of the folklore zone of Zîrnești: song, folklore, traditions, and traditional clothing. Artistic director: Filip Vasile.

Annual Agenda of Cultural and Sporting Events of Tourist Interest for 2017

• International Music Festival "Mărțișor" – it is organized every spring (1-10 March), starting from 1966, by the Cahul District Council and the Cahul City Hall, and takes place in each locality of the district through various cultural forms. The festival is dedicated to the arrival of spring, the regeneration of nature, as well as to the symbolic object Mărțișor – made of two threads of wool or cotton – one white and the other red, twisted together, worn as an amulet around the neck, wrists, or chest of clothing.

• International Festival "Dulce floare de salcîm" – organized in Văleni by the Cahul District Council and the Văleni Village Hall. The festival features folk ensembles from the Cahul district, as well as groups from the Lower Danube Euroregion. Main activities within the festival include: ethno-folk performances, exhibitions of works by folk artisans, preparation of traditional dishes, agricultural product fairs, and educational activities for children. The primary goal is the promotion of authentic customs and traditions specific to the folk hearth, as well as the promotion of cultural and gastronomic tourism.

• Festival-Competition "La vatra horelor bucuriene" – organized in Văleni by the Cahul District Council and the Bucuria Village Hall. The purpose of the festival is to promote folk song and dance as an integral part of the cultural heritage, to enrich the folk ensembles’ repertoire with new authentic creations, and to support folk artisans.

• Harvest Celebration – organized by the Cahul District Council. The celebration includes exhibitions by professionals in agriculture, viticulture, and bakery, as well as farmers, businesspeople in related agricultural fields, and exhibitions of folk artisans, along with concerts featuring artistic ensembles from the district.

Folk artisans

Accommodation structures

Catering Structures

Travel Agencies