Things to see and do Rezina District

It would be a shame not to allow enough time to enjoy a nice hike around the monastery, along the banks of the Dniestret river to the waterfalls south of the village. This walk is almost inevitable to capture the spirit of the place and understand its legends, because nature here has a mystical side to it. The reserve covers 306 ha and includes cliffs along the river, a gorge 150-200 m deep, caves, waterfalls 10-16 m high, wooded areas and grasslands. The vegetation is rich and includes many oaks, hazelnut trees, cherry trees, rosehips, mulberry trees, vine-trees, hawthorn... The panorama from the top of the cliffs is beautiful. In winter, the terraces at the bottom of the gorges are covered with ice but the Dniestr continues to flow. In February, the rays of sunshine crossing the frozen waterfalls form magnificent rainbows. In summer, the place is enchanting, you can rest at the foot of the waterfalls, swim and contemplate beautiful sunrises.

In addition to the natural beauties of the site, there are a few cultural monuments and an ancient troglodyte monastery occupied from the 11th to the 17th century. On the site of an ancient Gothic fortress, archaeologists have found fragments of amphoras or ceramics and jewellery. Under a waterfall, a plaque was found and, according to legend, Orpheus was buried there.

The monastic complex is also a nature reserve, it would be a shame to miss this lovely walk. With more than 670 hectares, it is a protected natural site. Two small rivers make it up, Saharna with a length of 10 km and Stohnia with a length of 6 km. These rivers have formed several waterfalls, small lakes, but also canyons up to 175 m high. The largest waterfall falls 4 m high and is located at the last bend of the river to the east, in front of the ranger's house and the rock monastery. At this place, a 10 m abyss is called by the locals "the Gypsy's pit". Wren hermitages are visible and some are open. To access the basin of the miraculous spring, you will have to cross a suspended but safe footbridge. In any season, it is an enchanting landscape of eternal calm, so it is best to avoid busy periods to walk there.

In order to have a superb panorama of the site, you can take the path on the cliffs opposite the monastery. A cross is visible at the top and from this location the view is magnificent. If you are not afraid of heights, you can visit the small turret of the Grimidon in which some monks retreat to pray. If a bit of adventure tempts you, from the main path you can take a steep secondary path leading to caves and old quarries from which there is also a nice view of the area.