Bender, Ottoman fortress city in eastern Moldova
Bender sits on the western shore of the Dniester in the Transnistria region of eastern Moldova. The 16th-century fortress stands on a hill above the river and is surrounded by low residential neighborhoods with Soviet architecture.
The Ottomans seized the settlement in the 16th century and expanded the old fortifications into a large fortress. In the 18th century the town passed to the Russian Empire, which continued using it as a military post.
The name comes from Turkish and means harbor, reflecting the location by the river. Churches with onion domes stand beside flat Soviet apartment blocks, while older residents often speak Russian in daily life.
The town uses the Transnistrian ruble and requires entry documents for some nationalities at the checkpoint by the Dniester. ATMs often accept only local cards, so bringing enough cash is advisable.
Beneath the fortress run old passages that once served as storage rooms and escape routes. Some tunnels extend under nearby neighborhoods and are accessible only during guided tours.
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