Last Updated: May 20, 2021
Things To See In Balti (Beltsy), Moldova
If you love exploring new places, then we are two peas in a pod.
If we are two peas in a pod, then I know the perfect place for your next trip. It’s Balti, in Moldova.
Balti (pronounced “belts”) is a peculiar place. It is a small town in northern Moldova, but it is the second largest in terms of area, and also in terms of economic importance. Additionally, it’s often called “the northern capital” because it really is the commercial and cultural center of the north part of Moldova.
Balti is the perfect place for you if you need to get away from the fast pace of the urban jungle and discover a location that almost nobody is talking about. There’s a lot of nature around it, because the city itself is located in a hilly area called the Balti Steppe.
If I’ve piqued your interest, then scroll down to find out why Balti should be your next destination and what sights definitely deserve your attention.
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Getting Around Balti
In terms of public transport, there are several bus and minibus lines. There are also trolleybuses, but these are much rarer and there are only 3 trolleybus lines.
There are a lot of taxis in Balti, and you could always ride those if you prefer. However, most of them have fixed prices for inner-city rides, so you might want to avoid them. Personally, since Balti isn’t really that big, I think your best bet is to walk everywhere. That way you’ll see more of the city, and really get to know it.
Buildings And Landmarks Worth Checking Out
The Museum of History and Ethnography
Photo Courtesy of WikiMedia
Do you find history fascinating? Would you like to see the sword of a soldier from Stephen the Great’s army? Or maybe letters that Bishop Visarion Puiu wrote in the 19th century? How about some coins and medals dedicated to the most influential Romanian poet, Mihai Eminescu? Well if you would like, you can see them all in Balti’s Museum of History and Ethnography.
Photo Courtesy of WikiMedia
Those are just a few of the 34,000+ exhibits housed in this museum. Since 1960 it has been educating the public about the lives of people from that area. In addition to all those cool items I mentioned, you can also see various archeological collections, traditional clothing from the XX century, and even read some pretty cool ancient documents.
So, if you do go to Balti, do yourself a favor and visit this lovely museum. You won’t be disappointed, and I would love to see some of your photos!
St. Nicolae Cathedral
Photo Courtesy of WikiMedia
It might look like a regular church on the outside, but the inside of this building will win you over. In fact, the inside of the church is filled with Baroque elements, such as icons and frescos painted by Evstaviem, a Moldovan painter.
St. Nicoale Cathedral dates back to the 18th century, and it is actually the oldest building in Balti. What I find particularly interesting about this church is that it is built in the Byzantine architectural style, which is unusual for Balti. This is because most buildings in Balti, and Moldova in general, were built under Soviet rule, and therefore feature Soviet’s simple construction. Additionally, it is also interesting that the Cathedral burned down in the 19th century, but its initial state was restored.
A quick note regarding proper attire; in Balti, women can only go inside churches if they are wearing a skirt and a headscarf. And for men, hats aren’t allowed inside the church. Rules are rules, so if you really want to visit this cathedral, at least you know what to expect.
Vasile Alecsandri Square & Independence Square
These are a must-visit. The squares are really more of a large pedestrian area, where no cars are allowed after 6 PM. This means that you can expect to find a lot of people here, so if you like to people-watch this is the perfect place for you. And what makes it even better is that there are a lot of cafes here, so you can just sit back, sip your coffee (or tea if that’s your thing), and enjoy.
The squares are in the center of Balti, with the Independence Square being to the right of a park, and the Vasile Alescandri Square being on its left side. The latter is the home of a Balti landmark definitely worth seeing: the Tank monument. I find it particularly intriguing because it is a tribute to the tankers who fought against the Nazis in World War II.
Photo Courtesy of WikiMedia
On Vasile Alecsandri Square you can also see the statue of Stephen the Great. He was the voivode (prince) of Moldova in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, which is why there are a lot of monuments dedicated to him throughout Moldova. What makes the monument in Balti special is its size; it is the largest monument of its kind in the entirety of Moldova. Maybe if I showed you a photo of Yao Ming next to the monument you could get an idea of how tall it really is. Such a photo does not exist, unfortunately, so you’ll have to settle for this one.
Photo Courtesy of WikiMedia
Vasile Alecsandri National Theater
Image Courtesy of WikiMedia
As you probably guessed from its name, the theater is located in the Vasile Alescandri Square as well. Both of these places bear the name of a Moldavian playwright, poet, and politician. He was the leader of the 19th century revolutionary movement for Romanian cultural identity, and the union of Moldova and Wallachia. The revolution failed, but the two provinces did actually unite, and Alescandri was appointed as minister of External Affairs. He used this position to seek support and acknowledgment of the newly formed nation.
Image Courtesy of WikiMedia
As for the theatre itself, it has been active for the past 60 years. It has more than 200 performances under its belt, some of which were modern and national, and others that were classical and international. Today, the repertoire of the theatre mainly features Moldavian and Romanian artists, truly justifying the “National” part of its name. Personally, what I find most interesting about this building is the sculpture above the entrance. It was designed by renowned artist Iurie Hvorovski and it is named “Teatru” (The theatre).
The Central Market
Shopping. It’s inevitable, right? There are several shopping malls in the center of Balti, and you can always visit those. Personally, my belief is that you cannot go to a new place and not check out what gems their local market holds. And, Eastern European markets are the best because they hold so many hidden treasures. On top of that, I love them because you can haggle with everyone about almost anything.
What can expect to find in Balti’s central market? Any Eastern European market will features such things as – fresh produce, snacks, raw and smoked meats, clothes, spices, old TVs… Basically anything you could possibly need. My advice to you is, instead of going to a restaurant and overpaying for a burger; go to the market, pick up some local snacks, and head to the Central park. It’s very close, between the 2 Squares, and it’s the perfect place to just chill and have your own picnic.
Image Courtesy of WikiMedia
Locales Worth Checking Out In Balti
Oliva
Oliva is a Mediterranean restaurant in the center of Balti (in Independence Square). The food there is delicious, and they also have vegetarian and vegan options. What really makes this place stand out is that they make their own pasta! And, the pasta station is visible to the customers. So, if you’re anything like me, this alone is a good enough reason to dine here.
If you’re traveling with your family, you’ll be glad to know that Oliva has a separate area for families with kids. The area has a little playroom, so your kids can entertain themselves while you are eating. It also has a beautiful dining area outside, where you can enjoy your meals on sunny days.
Graff Café
If you want to experience luxury Balti style, then this is the place for you. Even though it has “Café” in its name, this place is more like a pub than a real café. It is equipped with a ton of leather sofas, and it even features an aquarium in the main dining area.
It’s a great place to get a coffee or a couple of drinks, but they also serve food. During the weekdays they have Karaoke parties, and on the weekends they have dance parties. It’s a great place if you want to just blow off some steam and relax with a cup of coffee. Or, if you want to have some fun and impress (or even depress) everyone with your Karaoke skills, you can do that too!
La Placinte
If you are want to sample some traditional Moldavian food, La Placinte is the place for you. It’s right in the transport station in the city center, so you can’t miss it. In terms of their menu, they offer a lot of different choices. Soups, pies, grill – you name it, it’s on the menu!
The portions aren’t too big, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. But, the place is incredibly cheap, so the portion sizes are not really an issue. Really, the most expensive thing on the menu is Salmon (naturally) with a price tag of 165 Moldavian Lei. And $1 equals about 17 Lei, so you do the math. I couldn’t believe it either.
If you decide to visit Balti, you can tell me all about your trip in the comments. And I would loooove to see some photos. :>
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
