Cave monasteries of Orheiul Vechi, Medieval cave monasteries in Orhei District, Moldova.
The limestone cliffs along the Răut River contain numerous caves and chambers carved into the rock, forming an extensive monastic complex.
Monks established these religious dwellings in the limestone cliffs during the 13th century, creating spaces for meditation and Orthodox Christian worship.
The monastery cells, chapels, and churches within the rock formations represent centuries of Orthodox Christian traditions and monastic practices in Moldova.
Visitors can access the cave monasteries through guided tours, with the main entrance located in Butuceni village, 60 kilometers northeast of Chișinău.
The caves contain inscriptions in Old Church Slavonic from the 1690s, indicating their use as shelters for rebels fighting against Ottoman forces.
Location: Orhei District
GPS coordinates: 47.30287,28.96821
Latest update: March 16, 2025 12:08
Old Orhei
594 m
Orhei National Park
340 m
Getic fort of Butuceni
441 m
Trebujeni landscape reserve
2.8 km
Mansion of Lazo in Piatra
8.4 km
Reef on the riverbank of Răut
7.8 km
Funerary stele, Butuceni, Orhei
695 m
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Butuceni, Orhei
276 m
Monument în memoria consătenilor căzuți în 1941-1945
3.4 km
Monument comun al ostașilor căzuți (66) în 1944
1.2 km
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Brănești, Orhei
3.3 km
Brănești V settlement
3.9 km
Orthodox church in Trebujeni
1.2 km
Monument la mormântul comun al ostașilor căzuți (325) în 1944
8.5 km
Cave hermitage with bell tower and stone cross, Butuceni
181 m
Brănești VII settlement
3.4 km
Chernozem field near Ivancea
6.5 km
Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki church in Hîrtopul Mic, Criuleni
7.1 km
Cave monastery of Bosie
806 m
Biserica „Acoperământul Maicii Domnului”
3 km
Spring in Brănești, Orhei
3.3 km
Orașul medieval Orhei
898 m
Brănești X settlement
3.6 km
Așezare - Brănești - IV
2.5 km
Orheiul Vechi Fort
821 m
Brănești XVII settlement
4.1 km
Brănești XV settlement
3.9 km
Brănești XVI settlement
2.2 kmReviews
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