Ştefan cel Mare Central Park
Encyclopedia
Ştefan cel Mare Central Park is the main park in Downtown Chişinău
, Moldova
. Formerly known as Pushkin Park, it is the oldest park in Moldova and spans about 7 hectares (17.3 acre). It has gained the nickname "The Park of the Lovers" in Chişinău
due to its popularity as a meeting spot for couples. The park contains 50 species of trees, some of which are quite old, the mulberries and acacias being between 130 and 180 years.
. Under the direction of architect Bogdan Eitner, the present-day alleys were created, as well as hundreds of acacias, limes, and flower beds. The park was initially enclosed by a wicker fence to prevent cows, goats, and other animals from entering.
In 1863, at the suggestion of Alexander Bernardazzi
, the park was surrounded by a sturdier cast iron fence that was manufactured in Odessa
, consisting of 460 chains and weighing 5400 kilogram. A statue of Pushkin, who used to stroll the park grounds in the early 1820s, was designed by Russian sculptor Alexander Opekushin
and erected in 1885, making Chişinău the second city after Moscow
to have a Pushkin monument. Originally funded by the Chişinău inhabitants at the price of 1,000 golden rubles
, it is the oldest surviving monument in the city. This was followed by construction of the statue of Ştefan cel Mare
at the park's entrance in 1928. The latter monument was designed by the sculptor Alexandru Plămădeală
, and in 1989-91 was the focal point of meetings and violent clashes between Moldova’s Nationalists and pro-Soviet supporters.
Merry-go-rounds and swings were constructed in the park, as well as different stalls and pavilions for selling kvass, wine, fruit and sweets. The wooden tower of the first photo atelier was erected in the park on a small hill. In addition, the first theater was built in the place of the present Patria cinema. During World War II
, a communal grave to Soviet soldiers was established in the park. After the war, the Pushkin monument was relocated to the Avenue of the Classics of Moldovan Literature, and its space was taken by the wooden, two-theater Rodina cinema. A gymnasium and hothouse were added, as well. The park currently has four fountains: the main is located in the center, where all the paths and alleys meet, and the most recent fountain was built on the 165th anniversary of the park.
In 1958, the Avenue of the Classics of Moldovan Literature was opened, lined with statues and busts of Romanian and Moldovan authors and social figures. The bronze bust are set upon bases of red polished granite, and the entrance to the avenue is guarded by marble lions by an unknown sculptor. The avenue includes such famous figures as Alexandru Hâjdeu
, George Coşbuc
, Mihai Eminescu
, Nicolae Milescu
, Tudor Arghezi
, Vasile Alecsandri
, Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu
, Constantin Stamati
, Alecu Russo
, Lucian Blaga
, Gheorghe Asachi
, Constantin Stere
, Alexei Mateevici
, Constantin Negruzzi
, Mircea Eliade
, Ion Creangă
, Alecu Donici
, and Dimitrie Cantemir
.
In the later decades of Soviet power, the Alley of Friendship was created, where prominent guests of Chişinău planted trees; among were them Yuri Gagarin
, Mikhail Gorbachev
, and Meliton Kantaria
. In 2009, free park WiFi
access was launched.
Downtown Chişinău
Central or Downtown Chişinău is the central business district of Chişinău, Moldova.- Overview :In central Chişinău are located the major governmental and business institutions of Moldova:*The Parliament*Government building*Presidential palace...
, Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
. Formerly known as Pushkin Park, it is the oldest park in Moldova and spans about 7 hectares (17.3 acre). It has gained the nickname "The Park of the Lovers" in Chişinău
Chisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
due to its popularity as a meeting spot for couples. The park contains 50 species of trees, some of which are quite old, the mulberries and acacias being between 130 and 180 years.
History
The park was originally laid out in 1818 by Russian military engineers during the reign of Alexander IAlexander I of Russia
Alexander I of Russia , served as Emperor of Russia from 23 March 1801 to 1 December 1825 and the first Russian King of Poland from 1815 to 1825. He was also the first Russian Grand Duke of Finland and Lithuania....
. Under the direction of architect Bogdan Eitner, the present-day alleys were created, as well as hundreds of acacias, limes, and flower beds. The park was initially enclosed by a wicker fence to prevent cows, goats, and other animals from entering.
In 1863, at the suggestion of Alexander Bernardazzi
Alexander Bernardazzi
Aleksander Osipovich Bernardazzi was a Russian architect best known for his work in Odessa and Chişinău.- His life :...
, the park was surrounded by a sturdier cast iron fence that was manufactured in Odessa
Odessa
Odessa or Odesa is the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast located in southern Ukraine. The city is a major seaport located on the northwest shore of the Black Sea and the fourth largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1,029,000 .The predecessor of Odessa, a small Tatar settlement,...
, consisting of 460 chains and weighing 5400 kilogram. A statue of Pushkin, who used to stroll the park grounds in the early 1820s, was designed by Russian sculptor Alexander Opekushin
Alexander Opekushin
Alexander Mikhailovich Opekushin was s Russian sculptor. Among his works are part of the sculptures of the Millennium of Russia monument in Velikiy Novgorod , the monument to Alexander Pushkin in Moscow , the monument to Mikhail Lermontov in Pyatigorsk , the monument to Alexander II in Moscow...
and erected in 1885, making Chişinău the second city after Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
to have a Pushkin monument. Originally funded by the Chişinău inhabitants at the price of 1,000 golden rubles
Russian ruble
The ruble or rouble is the currency of the Russian Federation and the two partially recognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Formerly, the ruble was also the currency of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union prior to their breakups. Belarus and Transnistria also use currencies with...
, it is the oldest surviving monument in the city. This was followed by construction of the statue of Ştefan cel Mare
Stephen the Great Monument
The Stephen the Great Monument is a prominent monument in Chişinău, Moldova.The monument to Stephen the Great was designed by architect Alexandru Plămădeală in 1923. It was erected near the main entrance of the Stephen the Great Park in Downtown Chişinău...
at the park's entrance in 1928. The latter monument was designed by the sculptor Alexandru Plămădeală
Alexandru Plamadeala
Alexandru Plamădeală was a Moldovan sculptor. He was the artist responsible for the creation of the Stephen the Great Monument in Chişinău .He graduated from the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture....
, and in 1989-91 was the focal point of meetings and violent clashes between Moldova’s Nationalists and pro-Soviet supporters.
Merry-go-rounds and swings were constructed in the park, as well as different stalls and pavilions for selling kvass, wine, fruit and sweets. The wooden tower of the first photo atelier was erected in the park on a small hill. In addition, the first theater was built in the place of the present Patria cinema. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a communal grave to Soviet soldiers was established in the park. After the war, the Pushkin monument was relocated to the Avenue of the Classics of Moldovan Literature, and its space was taken by the wooden, two-theater Rodina cinema. A gymnasium and hothouse were added, as well. The park currently has four fountains: the main is located in the center, where all the paths and alleys meet, and the most recent fountain was built on the 165th anniversary of the park.
In 1958, the Avenue of the Classics of Moldovan Literature was opened, lined with statues and busts of Romanian and Moldovan authors and social figures. The bronze bust are set upon bases of red polished granite, and the entrance to the avenue is guarded by marble lions by an unknown sculptor. The avenue includes such famous figures as Alexandru Hâjdeu
Alexandru Hâjdeu
Alexandru Hâjdeu was a writer of Romanian origin, who lived in Bessarabia . He was the father of Romanian writer and philologist Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu....
, George Coşbuc
George Cosbuc
George Coşbuc was a Romanian poet, translator, teacher, and journalist, best remembered for his verses describing, praising and eulogizing rural life, its many travails but also its occasions for joy....
, Mihai Eminescu
Mihai Eminescu
Mihai Eminescu was a Romantic poet, novelist and journalist, often regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Eminescu was an active member of the Junimea literary society and he worked as an editor for the newspaper Timpul , the official newspaper of the Conservative Party...
, Nicolae Milescu
Nicolae Milescu
Nicolae Milescu was a Moldavian writer, traveler, geographer, and diplomat. Milescu spoke 9 languages: Romanian, Latin, Greek, Modern Greek, French, German, Turkish, Swedish and Russian...
, Tudor Arghezi
Tudor Arghezi
Tudor Arghezi was a Romanian writer, best known for his contribution to poetry and children's literature. Born Ion N. Theodorescu in Bucharest , he explained that his pen name was related to Argesis, the Latin name for the Argeş River.-Early life:Along with Mihai Eminescu, Mateiu Caragiale, and...
, Vasile Alecsandri
Vasile Alecsandri
Vasile Alecsandri was a Romanian poet, playwright, politician, and diplomat. He collected Romanian folk songs and was one of the principal animators of the 19th century movement for Romanian cultural identity and union of Moldavia and Wallachia....
, Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu
Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu
Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu was a Romanian writer and philologist, who pioneered many branches of Romanian philology and history. Hasdeu is considered to have been able to understand 26 languages .-Life:...
, Constantin Stamati
Constantin Stamati
Constantin Stamati was a Romanian/Moldovan writer and translator.He settled in Chişinău, Bessarabia after the 1812 partition of Moldavia at the end of the Russo-Turkish War, but made his literary debut in Iaşi.Stamati became a civil servant and official translator under the first Russian...
, Alecu Russo
Alecu Russo
Alecu Russo , was a Moldavian Romanian writer, literary critic and publicist....
, Lucian Blaga
Lucian Blaga
-Biography:Lucian Blaga was a commanding personality of the Romanian culture of the interbellum period. He was a philosopher and writer higly acclaimed for his originality, a university professor and a diplomat. He was born on May 9, 1895 in Lancrăm, near Alba Iulia, Romania, his father being an...
, Gheorghe Asachi
Gheorghe Asachi
Gheorghe Asachi was a Moldavian-born Romanian prose writer, poet, painter, historian, dramatist and translator. An Enlightenment-educated polymath and polyglot, he was one of the most influential people of his generation...
, Constantin Stere
Constantin Stere
Constantin G. Stere or Constantin Sterea was a Romanian writer, jurist, politician, ideologue of the Poporanist trend, and, in March 1906, co-founder Constantin G. Stere or Constantin Sterea (Romanian; , Konstantin Yegorovich Stere or Константин Георгиевич Стере, Konstantin Georgiyevich Stere;...
, Alexei Mateevici
Alexei Mateevici
Alexe Mateevici was a Moldavian poet.- Biography :He was born in the town Căinari, in Eastern Bessarabia, which was part of the Russian Empire, now in the Republic of Moldova...
, Constantin Negruzzi
Constantin Negruzzi
Constantin Negruzzi was a Romanian poet, novelist, translator, playwright and politician.Born in Trifeştii Vechi, Moldavia, he studied at home with a Greek teacher. He admitted in a later article that he learnt Romanian by himself, from a book written by Petru Maior...
, Mircea Eliade
Mircea Eliade
Mircea Eliade was a Romanian historian of religion, fiction writer, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago. He was a leading interpreter of religious experience, who established paradigms in religious studies that persist to this day...
, Ion Creangă
Ion Creanga
Ion Creangă was a Moldavian-born Romanian writer, raconteur and schoolteacher. A main figure in 19th century Romanian literature, he is best known for his Childhood Memories volume, his novellas and short stories, and his many anecdotes...
, Alecu Donici
Alecu Donici
Alecu Donici was a Moldavian-born Romanian poet and translator.- Biography :...
, and Dimitrie Cantemir
Dimitrie Cantemir
Dimitrie Cantemir was twice Prince of Moldavia . He was also a prolific man of letters – philosopher, historian, composer, musicologist, linguist, ethnographer, and geographer....
.
In the later decades of Soviet power, the Alley of Friendship was created, where prominent guests of Chişinău planted trees; among were them Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut. He was the first human to journey into outer space, when his Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth on April 12, 1961....
, Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is a former Soviet statesman, having served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991, and as the last head of state of the USSR, having served from 1988 until its dissolution in 1991...
, and Meliton Kantaria
Meliton Kantaria
Meliton Varlamovich Kantaria or Kantariya , Hero of the Soviet Union , was a Georgian sergeant of the Soviet Army credited to have together with M. A...
. In 2009, free park WiFi
WIFI
WIFI is a radio station broadcasting a brokered format. Licensed to Florence, New Jersey, USA, the station is currently operated by Florence Broadcasting Partners, LLC.This station was previously owned by Real Life Broadcasting...
access was launched.