Old Orhei - the church complex in winter

Old Orhei (Romanian: Orheiul Vechi) is a historical and archaeological complex, located in Trebujeni, 60 kilometres north-east of Chişinău, on the Răut River, in Moldova.

Old Orhei contains traces of different civilizations, including the rests of earthen and wooden fortresses of Geto-Dacian fortress (6th-1st centuries. BC), Golden Horde fort Shehr al-Jedid (or Yangi-Shehr) (14th century.), Moldavian fort (14th-16th centuries), Orthodox monasteries (c 14th century.), and the Moldavian town Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) (14th-16th centuries).

The Cave Monastery (Mănăstire în Peşteră), inside a cliff overlooking the gently meandering “Răut River”, was dug by Orthodox monks in the 13th century. It remained inhabited until the 18th century, and in 1996 a handful of monks returned to this secluded place of worship and are slowly restoring it.

In the 18th century the cave-church was taken over by villagers from neighbouring Butuceni. In 1905 they built a church above ground dedicated to the Ascension of St Mary. The church was shut down by the Soviets in 1944 and remained abandoned throughout the communist regime. Services resumed in 1996, though it still looks abandoned.

Old Orhei is definitely one of the most popular of tourist destinations in Moldovia.

This postcard sent by Nastia shows the Church complex of Old Orhei in winter.  To me, this is a wonderful postcard as I like winter scenes as well as churches.  This postcard has both elements.  Thanks Nastia for the great stamps too.