PARC LA IZVOR (PARCUL LA IZVOR)

La Izvor Park ("Near the Source") is the youngest park in Chișinău, created in 1972. It is one of the many green lungs of the capital. On the outskirts of the town, to the north-west, the park covers 163.6 ha with waterfalls, ponds, trees (acacias, willows, lime trees, pines, maples, birches and poplars), a bridge and romantic spots. On the premises there is a restaurant and a church dedicated to St. Matrona, which suffered a fire in 2011 and has been under reconstruction since that event. The restaurant La Izvor was built during the Soviet era and was famous. At that time, the park also had a café, sports fields and a small harbour for boats used to navigate on the lake. The small island that can be seen here was originally built as a children's attraction called the "Island of Tales" and a small ferry provided access to it. When landing on the island one had to enter a dragon's mouth to reach a small meadow where sculptures of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the Golden Rooster or owls resided. It is a well-known and most pleasant place to walk around in spring and summer. The inhabitants of the capital come here as a couple, with friends or family. Some people come here to fish and you can enjoy a small sandy beach. In autumn and winter, the area is obviously less crowded, but the atmosphere that emerges will appeal to romantic strollers.