Cosmos Hotel is perhaps the most impressive Soviet-time hotel in Chisinau. But there is definitely something more than just a hotel here. When Chisinau was chosen as the capital of Moldova, 200 years ago, this area became the edge of the town. All the important streets were meeting there and even nowadays, this region has the same role as back then.
I like this area because it is so contradictory somehow. Seeing all those Soviet industrial buildings - you start feeling the ”heaviness” of the grey concrete Soviet style. Then you notice huge modern shopping centers, and you admire how luxurious they are. Then you go to the stairs of Cosmos Hotel and you see a gorgeous big statue of a soviet communist and the large boulevard in front of him. When the statue was installed here in the 1950s, just a few cars a day would pass by. Today - hundreds of cars and people are moving back and forth just in front of you.
You go behind the Cosmos Hotel and you are shocked by how quiet it is there, how beautifully arranged the 5-floor apartment buildings and how slow the inhabitants of those apartment buildings are walking. Another world.
This is the main impression that Chisinau leaves our guests with. It is old and new, poor and luxurious, noisy and quiet - all this at the same time.
Negruzzi 2
MDL
free
Find your way with 87 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Valea Morilor Park" in the heart of Chisinau is a great recreational spot for a hot summer day. Half the city is here but you'll find your quiet spot!
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"Istanbul Bazaar" in Chisinau is a Turkish market for all your baklava, lokum and Turkish coffee needs!
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"Buiucani District" in Chisinau is the only part of the city were old village houses and churches still exist. I like it because I've lived here forever...
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"Chisinau Hotel" really has changed very little from soviet times. You don't have to stay, just ask to have a look around the rooms...
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Chisinau's main "Train Station" is a must-see spot -- I always try to pass through it with my tours. The large soviet square is also worth looking at...
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"La Izvor" in Chisinau is one of the most beautiful but still underestimated green areas in the city. You can even see people swimming in the lake here...
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The "Church of Transfiguration" in Chisinau is unique in that its depiction of hell is very modern; I can hardly believe they allowed it to be painted...
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We have plenty of Soviet mosaics in Chisinau that mean different things to different people. But this one on Negruzzi street has its own beautiful story!
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"MoldExpo" in Chisinau isn't just a green space that hosts exhibitions -- the statue of Lenin that used to stand in front of the government is here now.
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"Eminescu Square" in Chisinau is a place you can't miss as a tourist. The square itself is beautiful, old and full of real Moldavian souvenirs...
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"Chisinau Flea Market" is full of thousands of old soviet stuff. By buying things here, you help out the poor old people, so I encourage to get something!
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Chisinau's underground passages used to be scary, dark, smelly and full of tasteless graffiti. Now things have changed -- you definitely have to see them!
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