MOLDOVA

An old circus and hidden Lenin Statues

The main reason I went to Moldova was to visit Transnistria (you can read more here). As soon as I booked the flights to get there,  I realized that I would have loved Chisinau too: many old Soviet architectures and abandoned buildings...the perfect place for an INDIANA GIORGIOUS mini adventure.

MILITARY MUSEUM

This was my favorite place in Chisinau. At first, I thought this was only a courtyard with a couple of old tanks and airplanes but once inside the main building I discovered a universe of Soviet memorabilia. the museum was empty and I was the only visitor at that time of the day. The lady that sold me the ticket followed me for the whole visit; she didn't speak a word of English so there was no real communication; she just opened doors to show the different part of the museum. The first section was not very interesting but halfway through the visit, we went downstairs where the more interesting pieces are kept. The basement is full of old Lenin and Stalin statues, flags, propaganda posters and books, old Russian telephones, medals, uniforms...Just this was worth the visit to the museum!

 

CHISINAU STATE CIRCUS

This was another place I loved in Chisinau! A great Soviet architecture that shouldn't be missed when visiting this city. In the past, this was an abandoned building and many urban explorers managed to get inside; currently, this structure has been used to do circus shows again so sneaking inside is pretty impossible.

 

HOTEL COSMOS

Probably not the most glamorous place in Chisinau but I decided to spend the 2 nights in this old soviet hotel. The inside, and outside, probably didn't change since the Soviet times! The old signs and logos are still there giving a retro communist feel to the structure.

 

MORE SOVIET ARCHITECTURES