MD-60462

This is my 2nd official from Moldova, only my 5th card from this country. 

The building on the card is Chişinău City Hall.

Photo: Igor Sirbu

MD-60462, sent by Kate.

Chişinău City Hall is a historical and architectural monument built in Italian Gothic style located in Central Chişinău, Moldova. Originally constructed to house the city Duma in 1901, the building was nearly destroyed during World War II. It was rebuilt in the postwar period based on surviving images and construction plans. - in: wikipedia

Hâncu Monastery - Moldova

My 4th card from Moldova. Sent by Ara who visited the country a few months ago but who didn't had time to buy stamps there. 

In 1678 in a forest at the source of the Cogalnic river (about 55 km West of Chisinau) the great High steward Mihai Hincu at request of his daughter founded a convent of nuns, which she entered. The convent was named Parascheva. 

Autor: Iurie Raileanu

The wooden churches and cells were often destroyed by the Tartar invasions during the XVIIth c., and the “St. Parascheva” monastery remained uninhabited. In 1835 a stone church was built in a Russian-Byzantine style for the summer period. Later, in 1841, came a church for the winter season.

From 1956 to1990 the convent was closed by the Soviet authorities, and instead it functioned as a sanatorium and a rest-base for the Health Ministry. In 1990, at the request of the local population the Hincu convent was reopened, becoming one of the most well arranged and most visited religious communities. - in: https://www.travel.md/what-to-see/churches-monasteries-moldova/hancu-monastery/

MO-21175

I've already sent 1 or 2 officials to Moldava but this is the 1st i received from there. 

This is the orthodox Church of St. Mary in Orheiul Vechi.

Foto: V. Galperin

MO-21175, sent by Vladimir.

St. Mary Church is part of the Orheiul Vechi Monastery Complex, located 10 kilometres to the southeast of Orhei city.

This monastery was carved into a massive limestone cliff.  The Cave Monastery, inside a cliff overlooking the gently meandering “Răut River”, was dug by Orthodox monks in the 13th century. It remained inhabited until the 18th century, and in 1996 a handful of monks returned to this secluded place of worship and are slowly restoring it. 

The cliff face is dotted with what seem to be holes; most of these are other caves and places of worship dug over the millennia, as this region was a place of worship for Geto-Dacian tribes from before Christ’s time. In all, the huge cliff has six complexes of interlocking caves, most of which are accessible only by experienced rock climbers and many of which are out-of-bounds for tourists.

In the 18th century the cave-church was taken over by villagers from neighbouring Butuceni. In 1905 they built a church above ground dedicated to the Ascension of St Mary. The church was shut down by the Soviets in 1944 and remained abandoned throughout the communist regime. Services resumed in 1996, though it still looks abandoned. - in: http://liviudumitru.eu/2012/02/26/old-orhei-orheiul-vechi/#

Chisinau - Moldava

The National Museum of History of Moldava in Chisinau.

Stefan the Great and Saint.

Both cards were sent by Marina "Maramelie".