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10 Interesting Facts About Moldova

Wedged between Romania and Ukraine, it might be easy to miss the small country of Moldova on a map. Although it became an independent republic in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Moldova is home to archaeological sites, rich history, and culinary traditions. Here are a few things you may not know about this country.

  1. The national animal of Moldova is an auroch. If you aren’t familiar with this type of animal, don’t feel bad. It’s actually an extinct wild ox. The large bovine was last seen in Eurasia in the 1600s. The head of the auroch is depicted on a shield in the middle of the Moldovan flag.

  1. It is home to an independent region. Along the southeastern border between Moldova and Ukraine lies the region known as Transnistria. When Moldova first broke from the Soviet Union in 1990, there were many in the region loyal to Russia who felt political and cultural isolation. They declared independence with the hope of remaining in the Soviet Union as a socialist republic. Following a war that lasted nearly two years, the Republic of Moldova granted the region of Transnistria a measure of autonomy, even though it is not recognized as a country by the United Nations.
  2. Home to the largest bottle-shaped building. I know you’ve probably wondered where you can find the largest building shaped like a bottle. Well, if so, look no further than Ternovka Village, in eastern Moldova. This five-story building stands 28-meters tall and is a museum displaying a variety of more than 10,000… well, bottles, of course.
  3. Being bilingual—or even trilingual—is quite normal in Moldova. While Romanian is the official language, many Moldovans also speak Russian or Gagauz, or even all three. Gagauz is a Turkic language spoken by the Gagauz people native to Moldova and parts of Ukraine. And if learning multiple languages wasn’t enough, the Moldovan people also had to learn two alphabets! The Soviets converted Moldovan Romanian to the Cyrillic alphabet in 1939. In 1989, the Moldovan government changed it back to the Latin alphabet.
  4. The national dish is porridge. Instead of the boiled grains that we typically equate with porridge, Moldovan porridge, or Mămăligă, is made from yellow maize flour and is traditionally served with succulent stews and meat dishes and topped with cottage cheese, sour cream, and pork crackling. Mămăligă is often confused with polenta.

  5. The national dish is porridge. Instead of the boiled grains that we typically equate with porridge, Moldovan porridge, or Mămăligă, is made from yellow maize flour and is traditionally served with succulent stews and meat dishes and topped with cottage cheese, sour cream, and pork crackling. Mămăligă is often confused with polenta.

  1. Moldova didn’t have a president for almost three years. In Moldova, the president is elected by parliament, not by the people. From 2009 to 2012, the different parties of Moldova’s parliament could not reach a compromise, leading to a political deadlock. In 2012, Nicolae Timofti received just enough votes from parliament to be elected president. He was also the only candidate running for the position. 
  2. Moldova is a major producer of walnuts. Moldova’s black soil, referred to as ‘chernozem,’ is recognized as one of the most fertile in the world. This has led to Moldova becoming a significant global producer of walnuts. The nuts play a significant role in Moldovan cuisine, especially in sweet cakes.

  1. Old Orhei is a historical and archaeological complex. Located along a narrow bend in the Raut River in central Moldova, Old Orhei gives visitors a glimpse at remnants from several different periods, including ancient fortifications, cave monasteries, and traces of diverse civilizations. 
  2. Many residents have more than one passport. It is not uncommon for Moldovans to hold dual citizenship. Romanian citizenship is a popular choice due to its proximity and close cultural ties. Another common choice for dual citizenship in Moldova is Russian, also due to shared historical connections.
  3. Children’s Hunger Fund distributed over $1 million in resources to churches in Romania, Poland, and Moldova responding to the refugee crisis created by the war in Ukraine. In July 2024, ten churches formed a new Mercy Network in Moldova. In addition to serving Ukrainian refugees still living in Moldova, these churches are using resources from Children’s Hunger Fund to serve those in need in their communities and share the hope of the gospel.

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