CHURCH MAICII DOMNULUI (BISERICA MAICII DOMNULUI)

According to legend, Vasile Măzărachi had this church built to honor a promise made to God. Măzărachi had been denounced to the Turkish governor of Tighina (Bendery), which was known for its harshness. He feared he would not come back alive and promised to build a church if he was spared. This architectural monument of national importance is recognized as one of the oldest places of worship in the country and at Chișinău, dating from 1752. This church is located in the old town, on the promontory on the river Bâc. It was walled in and had an underground escape route in case of attack. Despite the various modifications, the church retains its original trefoil cross plan. The dominant vertical element is the bell tower topped by a bell roof. Initially made of wood, the church was rebuilt in stone in 1789. In 1838 the outer walls were reinforced with buttresses and the church was given a porch. In 1856, the sails and floors were changed and in 1914, the bell tower windows were enlarged. In 1945 the church was ceded to the Moscow Patriarchate and then in 1960 it was given to the community of old Russian believers and lost its Moldavian architectural features to Russian inspiration. In the 1990s, access porches were built on the side to separate the entrance for men and women. Interior murals such as the cemetery next to the church are among the oldest in Chișinău.