CASA MEMORIALĂ DONICI

In 1976 the family home became a national museum and exhibits documents that reflect the life and work of the artist Alexandru Donici, born in January 1806. It is situated in the middle of a park near a chapel (that of the Donici family) and was built in 1765 by Constantin Donici. The wooden church of the Dormition-of-the-Mother-of-God, whose existence was attested in 1820, was rebuilt in stone in 1875-1876. The writer began a military career at the St. Petersburg Secondary School, then returned and worked first at Chișinău, then Iași where he practiced law. Admiring the works of Cantemir, The Fountain and Krylov, in 1840 and 1842 he published two books of fables. Later, together with his friend C. Negruzzi, he translated Satires and other poetic compositions by Andrei Cantemir, the poem by Pushkin Gypsies and other classical literary works. Donici had a great sense of critical observation in his fables, he used animals to denounce the vices of man in general, but also the particular mores of the society of his time. Among his popular fables: Antereul lui Arvinte, Musca la Arat, Racul, Broasca și Știuca.

Originally named Bezin, the village was named Donici in honour of the writer on 27 August 1966. A bust of Alexandru Donici was installed in the courtyard of the house in 1969. The school, which was located in the old Donici's house, was moved in 1971, when restorations were undertaken. The museum was inaugurated on 19 September 1976.