Moldova (Moldavia) is a land of forested hills and quiet valleys. The Moldavian Highlands stretch between the chain of the Eastern Carpathians and the bed of the swift river Prut. In the middle of the highland flows from north to south picturesquely meandering Seret. In the valleys between the hills, rivers and streams cut deep ravines with steep slopes. The landscape here resembles our Beskydy Mountains, and shingled huts, folk costumes, geographical names and some surnames seem strangely familiar.
In terms of the richness of folk culture and natural beauty, Moldova can rival Transylvania. The turbulent history of this land is also not inferior to that of Transylvania. Moldova is situated on an ancient migration route of various peoples migrating from Asia – trail, which have been traveled by military expeditions of neighboring countries more than once.
W 1349 r. hospodar Bogdan won Moldova's independence from Hungary; At that time, Bukovina became the center of the medieval principality, hidden in the hard-to-reach Carpathian foothills.
Prince Stefan the Great (Stephen the Great), called by Pope Pius VI "the strongman of Christ”, starting from Suceava, he started an uprising against Turkish rule. The independence struggles lasted from 1457 do 1504 r. The prince and his son Petru Rares built fortified monasteries all over Bukovina. Many of them miraculously survived five centuries of wars, and the magnificent frescoes on the outer walls have often been preserved intact. Only when Petru Rares was defeated by the Turks in 1538 r., the Moldovan golden age is over. Admittedly, Michał Waleczny w 1599 r. he united all Romanian lands under his scepter, but shortly thereafter his dominion again fell into smaller principalities.
In the 17th century. these lands were ravaged by fire and sword. It was in this land that events extremely important for the history of Poland at that time took place – m.in. two battles at Khotyn (currently within the borders of Ukraine) and the disgraceful defeat of the Polish troops at Cecora (Tutor near Jass).
Moldavia regained its former importance only after the merger with the Duchy of Wallachia, when in 1859 r. Alexander Jan Cuza, the prince of Moldova, sat on the throne of the newly created Romanian state.
Medieval Moldavia covered a much larger area than the lands, which became part of Romania in 1859 r. bigabia, a land south of Prut, stayed in 1812 r. seized by Russia. Although Romania managed to regain it for some time, in years 1918-1940 and again 1941-1944, after World War II, it became the subject of Stalin's strategic moves. Northern Bukovina (around Chernivtsi) and the lands north of the Danube, mostly inhabited by the Romanian population, handed over to Ukraine. Transnistria was taken from the Ukrainian republic (areas east of the Dniester River), with a predominance of the Ukrainian population, and incorporated them into Bessarabia. A large number of Russians were brought in to work in the developing industry, who significantly changed the national composition of this land. Today there are only three million inhabitants of Romanian origin 65% Moldavian population.
In June 1990 r. the newly elected parliament of the Moldavian Soviet Republic has decided, that as the official language the place of Russian will be replaced by Romanian, and the flag of the republic will take over the national Romanian colors. The efforts to unite with Romania led to ethnic struggles and the secession of Transnistria, which of the following
With the push of the Russian troops, it formed its own government. 27 of August 1991 r. Soviet Moldova declared independence, but unification with Romania does not seem to be any closer in this (although Romanian and Moldovan citizens now cross the border without any formalities). Moldavian parliament, strongly influenced by politicians of Russian origin, restored the Moldovan language as the official language (despite the protests of the president himself).
Tourists from Poland usually go to Bukovina, unknowingly underestimating southern Moldova, also called lower. Meanwhile, it is the most culturally lively part of the country, with excellent theater, opera house and museum exhibitions.