The village and monastery of Capriana

The monastery of Capriana, located about twelve kilometres south-west of Straseni, is reached after crossing a wonderful wood. This sacred place of Orthodoxy miraculously survived the looting and destruction perpetrated by the Soviets, who during the communist era had converted it into a goods depot. The buildings that make it up stand on the shore of a small lake. The oldest part, the Church of the Assumption, which dates back to the 14th century, is in Baroque style. The Church of Saint Nicholas, built in the 19th century, and the Church of Saint George, dating from the early 20th century, complete the ensemble. Today Capriana is a national monument and consequently under the protection of the Moldovan state. Capriana is 45 kilometres from the capital Chisinau.