A fortress Soroca - the Moldavian fortress of XV century, in the city of Soroci.

The Fortress
settles down on right coast of the river Dnestrs, in the city of Soroki, approximately in 160 km to
the north from Kishinev. History: Stefan the Great to resist to attacks the Turk, Tatars and other
enemies, in 1499 has constructed on a place of Genoa fort Olhonia a wooden fortress of the
square form.Soroca is located 100 miles north of Chishinau, close to the Ukrainian border.
During 2.5 hour drive you will enjoy beautiful landscapes of Old Bassarabia, its small lakes and
rivers. You will visit Soroca's Fortress, and eventually the village of rich Gypsies. Your guide
will tell about the story of the well-kept fortress, which has been serving during many centuries
as a shelter for Moldavians during Turkish and Tartar invasions.

History

The city has its origin in the medieval Genoese trade post of Olchionia, or Alchona. It is known
for its well-preserved stronghold, established by the Moldavian Prince Stephen the Great (Ştefan
cel Mare) in 1499.

The original wooden fort, which defended a ford over

the Dniester (Moldovan/Romanian: Nistru), was an important link in the chain of fortifications
which comprised four forts (e.g. Akkerman and Khotin) on the Dniester, two forts on the Danube
and three forts on the north border of medieval Moldova. Between 1543 and 1546 under the rule
of Petru Rareş, the fortress was rebuilt in stone as a perfect circle with five bastions situated at
equal distances.

During the Great Turkish War, John Sobieski's forces successfully defended the fortress against
the Ottomans. It was of vital military importance during the Pruth Campaign of Peter the
Great in 1711. The stronghold was sacked by the Russians in the Russo-Turkish War (1735–
1739). The Soroca fortress is an important attraction in Soroca, having preserved cultures and
kept the old Soroca in the present day.

Architecture

The current building displays the most elaborated characteristics of late medieval fortifications.
This observation conveys the idea that the fort was built maybe by expert from Western
Europe or Transylvanian people whom traveled in Western Europe and brought architectural
ideas back in Moldova:

 The walls are not built straight but in a curved shape to resist better to projectile, so are
the 4 outer towers.

 We can notice also round towers which allowed the defensors to shoot from better angles
and thus protect the base of the walls.

The entire building has a diameter of 30 meters, 4 meters for the towers. Each tower has 4 level,
the first two lower ones were used for artillery. The walls are 3 meters thick and we can find
signs of a previous ditch. The main entrance tower had 3 doors, amongst them a portcullis which
were closed during battles, thus the space saved at the upper level allowed garrison to pray in a
small chapel.

Despite all these strong features the fort was obsolete after the end of the 14th century because of
the more widespead use of gunpowder.

In the medieval period the  fortress of Soroca was part of a huge Moldovan defensive system,
which comprised four fortresses on the Nistru river, two on the Danube and another three in the
northern part of the country. With this “stone belt of fortresses”, the country borders were well
protected. Soroca fortress was built at the Nistru river crossing, on older fortifications. In 1499,
on the order of Stefan cel Mare, a square wooden fortress was built, on the site of a former
Genovan fortress called as Olihonia (Alciona).
Between 1543–1546, while Petru Rares ruled the country, the fortress was completely re-built in
stone, and in the shape one can see it today – a perfect circle, the diameter of which is 37,5 m
and with 5 bastions situated at equal distances. When designing the fortress the builders
incorporated the supreme law of harmony “the golden section”, which makes the fortress unique
among examples of European defensive architecture.
Soroca’s fortress is also famous for being the place where the Moldovan army, commanded by
the famous statesman Dm. Cantemir, and the Russian army, led by the Tsar Petru I, met and
consolidated their forces during the Prut campaign against the Turkish hordes in 1711. Along
history, the fortress has been visited by Bogdan Hmelnitski, Timush Hmelnitski, Alexander
Suvorov, and others. The fortress is the only medieval monument in Moldova, which has been
preserved entirely as it was designed by its builders. Above the entrance gate one can visit the
small military church.
The Candle of Gratitude Monument is one of the best monuments in Moldova it is situated in
Soroca town on the banl of river Dnister. The monument is built on the rocks over the Nistru
River. It is also considered as a very special work of art for another reason. It is actually built in
the memory of the cultural monuments in Moldova that were destroyed in the past. Time stands
still when it passes through this monument. It is a silent witness of many hopes and agonies,
dreams and hard works of many past generations.
"The Candle of Gratitude" is a monument, whose roots go back to the depths of our past, and it is
also one of the most significant buildings in the modern history of Moldova.
"The Candle of Gratitude, this monument is a tribute of respect to all the unknown heroes, to the
people who have preserved the language, culture and history of our country Moldova in the
multicolour palette of human civilisation. The monument also perpetuates the memory of the
great unknown poet who wrote the ballad "Mioritsa."
Here, using the foundations as an expression, is buried all the pain, diligence, and the hopes of
many generations of our countrymen lie. This monument is an extraordinary work by the
sculptor. It is dedicated to all destructed elements of Moldovan culture.
The idea of building this monument belongs to Ion Druta well-known Moldovan literature
classic writings; although he suggested that 15 years ago, this project was implemented it was
and officially only opened only on 27th March, 2004.
Thanks to Ion Druta, his faith, labour and material support today "The Candle of Gratitude" rises
above the waters of the Dniester. Near Soroca from the river to the top of the hill six hundred
steps lead up to the bell tower that is in the form of a 29,5 meter long candle.
People of Otaci and Kamenka can see the Light of the "Candle" in the night-time. You get an
indescribably beautiful view of the place from the top of the hill.

Gypsy Hill. These houses, if they can be called so, represent real imposing fortresses, with two,
three or even more floors. They are made from granite, marble, expensive imported materials
and are guarded by huge statues representing wild animals’ imitations. At each entry, cylindrical
columns with bas-reliefs support the balconies from the upper floors.
Moldovan town of Soroca features mansions inspired by the Bolshoi theatre, St Peter's
Basilica and the US Capitol.
The 'Gypsy King' Arthur Cerari presides over the community from his grand Moorish-
inspired palace headquarters
Cerari oversees legal disputes and is an adviser on Roma affairs for the President of Moldova
and his government
It is home to the Bolshoi theatre, St Peter's Basilica and the U.S. Capitol building.
For a community of just 37,000, it has a bewildering array of architectural highlights inspired by
global landmarks including the Russian Bolshoi theatre, St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and the
U.S. Capitol building.
'He has the highest title in the Roma hierarchy — the king. He is the only recognised leader of all
the Roma living in Romania and Moldovia. Baron oversees administrative disputes, is engaged in
legal affairs, protect the rights of his people to defend their interests.
he speaks eight languages, including Farsi and Yiddish.

Europe's Roma population are believed to have originated from India, travelling through the
Middle East in the 6th and 7th Centuries to the Byzantine Empire in what is now modern day
Turkey.
From the 15th to 17th Centuries they had reached Britain, Ireland and other parts of Western
Europe.
Over the centuries they faced persecution, which came to a height in Germany and Nazi-occupied
Europe, where thousands were killed in death camps. 
Now many gypsy communities can be found across the world.
Today an estimated 10-12 million Roma live in Europe. The largest populations make their
homes in former communist countries and nearly all are at the bottom of the economic and
educational ladder.
During Soviet times they managed to successfully combine their customs with those of local
inhabitants. And even then, they were renowned for living at a higher standard than that of most
Moldovans.
The local guide told us that the owner of an unfinished building does not have pay taxes. Clever
gypsies!