Thanksgiving Candle, Public forum monument in Soroca, Moldova
The Thanksgiving Candle is a public monument in Soroca, Moldova, built as a tall white stone structure shaped like a candle. It rises around 30 meters and contains a small chapel inside, along with an internal lighting system that glows after dark.
The monument was built in 2004 as a tribute to the survival of Moldovan identity through difficult periods in history. It was initiated by local communities who wanted a visible marker of their roots after decades of Soviet rule.
The candle shape refers to the tradition of lighting a candle as a gesture of gratitude, which is common in Orthodox Christian culture. On national and religious holidays, people from across the region gather at the base of the structure to mark the occasion together.
Access to the monument is free and the small chapel inside is open to visitors at most times. Coming in the evening gives the best view of the structure, since the lighting makes it stand out clearly against the sky.
The chapel inside the monument was designed as a working Orthodox prayer space, not just a decorative feature. Services are occasionally held there, which means visitors may arrive to find a small ceremony already in progress.
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