Things to see and do South

From north to south, along the Prut, there are vast meadows and swamps. Prutul de Jos is in these floodplains around Slobozia Mare. Two thirds of this 1,690 ha reserve is covered by Lake Beleu, the largest natural lake in Moldova. Here the Prut flows into the Danube.

Lake Beleu with its 1,089 ha is part of a network of ponds forming a unique ecosystem from Cahul to Giurgiuleşti. The level of the lake depends on the variations of the Danube and the Prut. The lake formed 5,000-6,000 years ago from the Danube. It is 5 km long and 2 km wide, with a maximum depth of 2.50 m. The lake has a maximum length of 5 km and a width of 2 km. It almost disappeared in the 1990s, when it was almost dry and could be crossed by car. Torrential rains in September 1991 saved it. There are rare species of mammals (otters, wild cats, ermines, rodents) and many birds find refuge there. There are 155 species of birds, 139 of which have their nests there (cormorants, egrets, herons, gulls) as well as 33 rare species, 12 of which are threatened with extinction. There are also about 30 species of fish such as pikeperch, carp and bream. The flora consists of water lilies, tall grasses, numerous white lilies and reeds. Long threatened by poaching, reed harvesting and oil exploration activities in the region, the Prutul de Jos reserve was added in 2019 to the world list of biosphere reserves established by UNESCO.

The village of Manta is quite old and is already mentioned in a document of 1436. In the 19th century, the locality had about 60 vineyards. It is the birthplace of the dancer Ion Furnică as well as the popular music performers Ana and Larisa Arseni. The surrounding area is characterized by numerous ponds and lakes known to harbour white water lilies, a plant protected by the Moldovan authorities. Lake Manta is one of the largest in the country, but its depth is limited, generally 2 m, whereas it used to be 8 to 10 m deep. It was formed with the overflow of the Prut River. It is 7 km long and covers 21 km2. The lake, its islets and surrounding ponds are home to a rich flora and fauna. Among the bird species present, one can observe numerous cormorants, storks, egrets, pelicans, herons, cranes, swans... On the spot, one can also find coypu, lizards, foxes, wild cats, turtles, wild boars and deer. The white and yellow water lilies give the lake and the marshes a beautiful colourful note. People come here to walk in the open air, to observe nature and animals, to sail on the lake by boat and to fish.

The Manta Lake touches the Lunca Natural Park Joasă in Prutului Inferior, 3 km south of Manta. This natural park is located in Romania. Going down a little further south to Slobozia Mare, you can visit the nature reserve of Prutul de Jos with Lake Beleu, located in Moldova.

The locality was first mentioned in a document dated 13 March 1489 under the name of Târgul Sărății. Ștefan Vodă bought the land in 1489 and then ceded it to his servants Petru and Leova. A famous fair was held in this village for several centuries and was mentioned in a 1806 document by Constantin Moruzzi. The town developed a lot after the Second World War. The town hall is located in the west of the village, near the central market and not far from the river Prut. Nearby there are shops and the church of St. Parascève.

The town hall is located in the town centre, it is a red brick building whose main entrance is surmounted by a large domed belfry. The town hall and its website can provide you with information about Comrat and public events. However, it is advisable to visit the Gagauzia Tourist Information Center located in the same building. This office will be able to answer your questions about the region and its tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels or museums

Ștefan Vodă appeared on a map of the region for the first time in 1884. The town was formerly called Kizil, then Suvorov in Soviet times. It had a strong German community. The town hall is located in the centre of the town, 250 m from the bus station. It is a building with typical Soviet architecture and nearby there is a statue of Ștefan cel Mare. The town hall and its website can provide you with useful information about the locality, its attractions and public events. Restaurants and bars are nearby.