Soroca Fortress, Rep. Moldova

On watch at the Nistru

Where is it, when to visit, how much does it cost?

Soroca Fortress is located in the city of Soroca in the Republic of Moldova, at 78 Independence Street. The 200 km drive to Chisinau takes 3 hours. Soroca can also be reached by train. Soroca is located on the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, on the right bank of the Dniester.

The Soroca Fortress is open from April to November, from Wednesday to Sunday between 9am-1pm and 2pm-6pm, the last entry is allowed 30 minutes before closing time. The entrance ticket costs 30 MDL for adults and 10 MDL for children. Cash only.

About Soroca Fortress

Soroca Fortress is administered by the Museum of History and Ethnography "Nicolae Bulat" in Soroca. The first documentary attestation dates back to July 12, 1499 and appears in the peace treaty concluded between Stephen the Great, ruler of Moldavia, and John Albreht, the Polish czar. Its origins are unclear. One hypothesis recalls that Soroca was a Genoese colony under the old name Olhionie. Archaeological discoveries have brought to light the fact that on the present site of the massive stone fortress there was once a wooden and earth fortress.

A movie about Soroca Fortress you can access here.

1. City of Soroca

What on Google Maps is called the city of Soroca is a park next to the fortress on the banks of the Dniester. There are good places for photos.

City of Soroca

park in Soroca

the cliff, the Dniester and the fortress

2. Soroca Fortress - outside

Soroca Fortress dominates the landscape. Soroca Fortress has the appearance of a castle. The fortress has 5 equidistant towers, of which 4 with a circular section and 1 with a polygonal section, where the entrance is located. The entrance is from the cliff.

Soroca Fortress

entrance to the citadel

3. Soroca Fortress - courtyard

The courtyard is circular. The inner courtyard is 30 m in diameter. Seen from the courtyard, the high walls seem overwhelming. The fortress walls are 3 m thick and 21 m high, built of limestone. There are 2 wells in the courtyard. The one in the middle, with a round mouth, is the fountain of the Poles, and the one with a square mouth to the right of the entrance is the old fountain.

interior walls

Soroca Fortress

me in Soroca Fortress

old well

Polish well

4. Soroca Fortress - on high

It climbs up to the fortress on 2 levels, from where the view of the Dniester is outstanding. The Dniester forms the border between Moldova and Ukraine in the Soroca area. In the walls of the fortress there are circular holes through which the defenders of the fortress poured hot oil on the enemies who reached the base of the walls or from where they shot the besiegers.

view from the citadel towards the cliff

Soroca from above

the fortress like a domino castle

stairs in the citadel

defense windows

5. Sword of Stephen the Great

In a room to the right of the entrance at the first staircase, a faithful copy of the sword of Prince Stephen the Great is on display.

in the citadel

Stephen the Great

copy of the sword of Stephen the Great

Conclusions

Soroca Fortress has been restored, is welcoming and worthy of an organized and guided tour. You can hire a local guide to tell you about the history of the city and Soroca Fortress.

Nearby, in the southern end of the city, visit Bechir's Rape, Bechir's Chilia and climb the Thanksgiving Candle.

All the best!

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