BOTANICAL GARDEN (BOTANICĂ BOTANICĂ)

The Botanical Garden was created in 1950 and in 1965 it was set up on its present 104 ha site, under the direction of the academician Alexandru Ciubotaru, who also directed the Botanical Research Institute that today bears his name. The park contains many types of flowers, local and exotic plants. The plant exhibitions were set up from 1950 to 1964. The zoo of Chișinău was founded in 1977 and is located at one of the entrances: it hosts nearly 1,000 species of animals and birds (steppe eagle, mountain goose...) and some rare species from various parts of the world such as Przewalski's horse, banteng, tiger, ermine, European beaver, leopard, zebra, lynx, bear, monkey, and also camels, llamas and peacocks. It is a park very appreciated by the inhabitants of the capital who come to walk there in the summer in couple, with family or friends. In winter, under the snow, the park takes on a romantic, even melancholic look. Many trees and plants were damaged or perished after the heavy snowfall of April 2017. A little ride on a pony (10 lei) or on horseback (15 lei) will delight the children. To get to the zoo, allow about 25 minutes by minibus from the city centre and think you will walk, as the zoo is quite large. Conferences and scientific events are often organized by the Alexandru Ciubotaru Institute.