Soroca Fortress tells its construction story through two materials: Stephen the Great initially had it built from wood in the 15th century, and Petru RareÈ™ rebuilt it in stone in the 16th century. Its shape is distinctive, too: the ground plan is perfectly circular, with five defensive towers. Its construction period, materials and clean geometry make the fortress a special gateway to the history of the district.
A fortress, a candle and clean lines
Another landmark stands out for its instantly recognizable shape: The Candle of Gratitude resembles a giant candle and stands on a high hill overlooking the Dniester. The nearly 30-metre-high structure is made of Cosăuți stone, and a small chapel is located inside. Visitors can climb 657 steps to the top, which offers panoramic views of Soroca and the surrounding area. The fortress and the Candle of Gratitude make different impressions: one with its circular defensive architecture, the other with its candle shape and views.
Museums as windows onto the region
At the Cosăuți History and Ethnography Museum, visitors can explore the village’s history. The museum is housed in the building of its first secular school, a historic monument built in 1896, and continues to operate there. Its permanent exhibition features archaeological, geological, numismatic and ethnographic objects. This brings different perspectives together under one roof—from finds dating back to earlier times to themes of everyday life and culture.
The Soroca History and Ethnography Museum also has a long history: it has been open for more than a century. In total, visitors to the district can learn about local attractions at nine museums. These include museums in Soroca, Cosăuți, Cremenciug, Șolcani, Bădiceni, Vasilcău, Vădeni, Stoicani and Dubna. If you would like to visit a particular museum, check in advance that it is open.
Gorges, riverbanks and protected areas
At Rudi Monastery, the landscape and the buildings are closely connected: the monastery stands on the right bank of the Dniester, surrounded by old forests and steep cliffs. Its Holy Trinity Church was built between 1770 and 1777 in the medieval Moldavian architectural style. This date range and architectural style give your visit a specific historical context, while the riverbank and cliffs define the landscape.
The Rudi–Arionești Gorge is part of the Rudi–Arionești Landscape Reserve and is ideal for hiking and photography. The gorge is home to Piatra Țiganului and the Stânca Răutului viewpoint—two named natural features that offer places to take in the landscape. The Unguri-Holoșnița Ramsar Site offers another natural setting. It provides opportunities for observing nature as well as for ecotourism, rural tourism and active tourism. These different options give you several themes to explore without requiring a set route.
Regional traditions throughout the year
Soroca hosts the National Apple Festival every year. At its 14th edition in 2025, apple producers, food-processing companies and folk artisans came together. Visitors can see exhibitions of fresh apples and apple products at the festival. This connects the produce with the people and businesses involved in making it.
Religious traditions also mark the calendar: at the monastery in Inundeni, the Marian icon “Icoana Maicii Domnului «Bucuria tuturor scârbiților»†is celebrated every year on November 6. The district is also part of the cross-border cultural and tourist route Voivode Stephen the Great and Saint. Together, these examples show different sides of the region: architectural heritage, nature experiences and events that have a regular place in the annual calendar.
Discover more destinations: Soroca, Edineț District, Sîngerei District, Causeni, Ștefan Vodă District, Transnistria, Dubasari, Ștefan Vodă District.
For the overall travel guide: Moldova.
