Stefan cel Mare's Oak and the stone basilica of Cobîlea

The locality of Cobîlea is very important for Moldovan history, as here stands the Orthodox basilica, entirely built of stone, the oldest in the country. Like many others, this religious work was erected over 500 years ago by the Prince and Saint of Moldova Stefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great) in homage to Our Lord after a battle won against the Tatar-Mongol invaders. The place where the basilica was erected was not chosen at random but because there stood an enormous oak which already at the time had over 2 centuries of life and which today, at 750 years, is classified as the oldest tree present in the Republic of Moldova. Legend tells that gold coins and jewels were deposited in the hollows of this oak and that, as the plant grew, these hollows closed, preserving inside it a priceless treasure.

Today this oak is dedicated to Stefan and is one of the places most visited by Moldovans and by foreign tourists passionate about history. Cobîlea is located in the district of Soldanesti, about 140 kilometres north of Chisinau.