Daytrip Pridnestrovie
Dagtrip naar Pridnestrovie: het land dat niet bestaat
If you travel to Moldova, you should not miss a daytrip to Pridnestrovie. This unique region, located on the east side of the Dniester River, feels like a time capsule from the Soviet era. It has its own laws, its own currency, and even border controls. For many travellers, it is a fascinating experience to visit a place that is officially not recognised by the rest of the world.
Introduction to Pridnestrovie
You might wonder: don’t you mean Transnistria? No! Transnistria is the Western term for the region, literally meaning “beyond the Dniester River”. According to Pridnestrovie law (PMR-law, 04.09.2024), this term is equal to a symbol of fascism and is forbidden to use inside Pridnestrovie. People take this very seriously. While a small mistake is usually forgiven, it is not a good idea to use it often. The official name of the region is the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic.
Bender Fortress: a dive into history
Our tour started at Bender Fortress, a 16th-century stronghold. Here our guide explained the rich and complex history of the region. You learn about the Turkish rule in the Principality of Moldavia in the Middle Ages, the Russo-Turkish wars of the 18th and 19th centuries, and the “Kalabalik of Bender” – the time when Swedish King Charles XII lived here between 1709 and 1713. The fortress itself is impressive: thick stone walls, towers, and a strategic location show why this was such an important stronghold.
Chitcani: Lenin, art and views
Next, we visited the village of Chitcani. Here we first stopped at the Lenin monument and the local House of Culture, where you can see masterpieces of Soviet artists like Leonid Belyaev and Ilya Bogdesko, all in the socialist realism style.
We then climbed the Chitcani Bridgehead, located on a 158-metre-high hill. From here you get panoramic views over the Merenesti Forest, the village of Chitcani, the cities of Tiraspol and Bender, and on clear days even the chimneys of the power station in Dnestrovsc, at the border with Ukraine. We saw smoke rising from Ukraine, about 110 km away – though it was not clear whether it came from factories or from the war.
Noul-Neamț Monastery: religious beauty
Also in Chitcani, we visited the Noul-Neamț Monastery, founded in 1864. This monastery complex is beautiful and includes several churches:
- The summer church Ascension Cathedral (1867–1878)
- The winter church Assumption Cathedral (1902–1905)
- St. Nicholas Cathedral (1830–1834)
- The refectory-Holy Cross Church (1885–1886)
It is a serene place where you can take your time to admire the architecture and religious art.
Note: Women must wear long trousers and a headscarf inside the monastery. Since it was 30 degrees, Tessa did not have this with her, but luckily there were plenty of clothes available to borrow at the entrance.
Tiraspol: Soviet style and local experiences
We ended our day in Tiraspol, the capital of Pridnestrovie. Our guide first took us to an old Soviet-style sports hall, where he showed us traditional thumb wrestling techniques – a fun way to take part in local life. Afterwards we were dropped off in the city centre, where we had time to explore Tiraspol on our own. After about an hour and a half, our taxi picked us up again and we drove back to Moldova.
Takeaway: a daytrip to Pridnestrovie is worth it!
A daytrip to Pridnestrovie is a truly unique experience. You step into another world and discover Soviet stories, impressive fortresses, monasteries, and panoramic views. It is a region full of history and culture that you will not find anywhere else.
We highly recommend booking a tour with Andrey from PMR-Tours. Andrey was born in Pridnestrovie and has lived here his whole life, which gives him an incredible knowledge of the region. During the tour we could ask him anything: from history and culture to daily life and his personal experiences. His stories gave us a much deeper and more authentic insight into life in Pridnestrovie than any group tour could provide.
For anyone interested in history, culture, or simply looking for a special travel experience, this is an absolute must!
FAQ: everything you need to know about a daytrip Pridnestrovie
You will find tours on GetYourGuide or Viator, but they are often expensive and not clear about the programme. We chose PMR-Tours with Andrey. With just a simple WhatsApp message, we arranged transport and a full-day tour. He drove us himself and guided us around Bender, Chitcani, and Tiraspol.
At PMR-Tours you can book a private tour. The price depends on the number of people. For the two of us, we paid €80 for the tour and €100 extra for private transport. This was still cheaper – and much more personal – than joining a group tour through the big platforms.