PARK STEFAN CEL MARE AND THE CLASSICS ALLEY

This park, opened in 1818, was designed by the architect Ozmidov, but Bernardazzi gave it its present appearance by redesigning it in 1863 and installing a wrought-iron fence. Initially, the park was named "Pushkin Park" in honour of the Russian poet whose bust still occupies a prominent place. This park is the most beautiful of the city and also the privileged place for walks, meetings and relaxation in all seasons. In the center of the park there is a water jet pool. One of the attractions of the park is the Classics Alley, a succession of twenty-five busts of great Romanian writers and poets sculpted by Alexandru Plămădeală. The alley was inaugurated in 1958, with the contribution of the Writers' Union of Moldova. The park is the venue for numerous events and concerts.

The monument of Stefan cel Mare (or Stephen the Great). Alexandru Plamadeala was entrusted with the task in 1923. He visited the monasteries erected by the prince in the 15th century, in order to get acquainted with his personality. He discovered a small painting from 1475 depicting Stefan cel Mare which inspired him. The bronze statue, made in Bucharest, was inaugurated three years later, in 1926. On 29 April 1928, during the celebrations of the decade of union between Bessarabia and Romania, this monument became a symbol of the close link between the two peoples and their history. The statue was dismantled several times and transferred to Romania and then reinstalled at Chişinău.