Arcul de Triumf (Poarta Sfântă)
Triumphal Arch of Chișinău
A classical arch from 1840 with a clock and a 6.4-tonne bell cast from captured cannon
47.0247° N · 28.8325° E
Photo: Pelin Oleg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: ValentinVrz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Arcul de Triumf is a 13-metre classical triumphal arch in the centre of Chișinău, built in 1840-1841 to a design by Luca Zaușkevici. It commemorates the Russian victory over the Ottoman Empire in the war of 1828-1829 and also serves as a monumental gateway, the Poarta Sfântă or Holy Gate, to the cathedral. Until 2011 a 6.4-tonne bell hung in the arch.
What you see
The arch stands on the Piața Marii Adunări Naționale, the large square on Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare, directly opposite the government building. It is 13 metres high and 10 metres wide, with an upper storey and, on the front, a clock that is lit up in the evening. Behind the arch lies the park with the Nativity Cathedral; together they form a single axis.
The clock no longer strikes the hours. The great bell, which according to Visit Chișinău weighs 6.4 tonnes and was cast from captured Turkish cannon, was actually intended for the cathedral's bell tower but turned out to be too big. It hung on the upper storey of the arch until 2011.
History
The arch is a product of Russian Bessarabia. It was meant to commemorate the victory in the war of 1828-1829 and at the same time formed the ceremonial entrance to the new cathedral. The architect Luca Zaușkevici from Odesa took his inspiration from the triumphal arches of Rome. Construction began in 1840 and the arch was finished in 1841.
The clock has had an eventful life: the first came from Odesa in 1842, a storm destroyed the clock face in 1849, and a later clock was damaged in a bombing raid in 1941. In 1945 the arch was given Soviet memorial plaques in marble, which disappeared again in 1991. In 1973 the monument and the clock were fully restored.
Tips for your visit
The arch can be seen at any time and is an obvious starting point for a walk through the centre: the cathedral, the Parcul Ștefan cel Mare and the boulevard are all within a few minutes. On national holidays and during major events the square is used for concerts and rallies; if you want to see and photograph it in peace, come early in the morning.
Bear in mind that the square is also where demonstrations take place. The Belgian travel advice asks you to avoid demonstrations in Chișinău.
Highlights
- 13-metre triumphal arch from 1840-1841
- Illuminated clock on the front
- 6.4-tonne bell cast from Turkish cannon, in the arch until 2011
- Monumental entrance to the cathedral park
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