Suta de Movile: Moldova's Mysterious Mounds

Suta de Movile, translating to 'Hundred Mounds' in Romanian, presents a captivating and unusual landscape in Moldova's Rîșcani district. Located near the Prut River, this protected area features thousands of mounds scattered across the terrain. While the name suggests a hundred, there are actually over 3,500 mounds, varying in height from 1 to 30 meters, with the Movila Țiganului (Gypsy Mound) being the tallest.These mounds have sparked numerous legends, with some believing they are burial mounds of ancient Scythian or Sarmatian warriors. According to one legend, the mounds arose from a great battle between nomadic tribes, where the victors buried their heroes, creating smaller mounds for common soldiers and larger ones for chieftains. However, scientists propose that the mounds are the result of ancient landslides or that they are unique formations of submarine reefs from the Sarmatian Sea, which covered the region approximately 20 million years ago. This sea, a remnant of the primordial Tethys Ocean, left behind sedimentary rocks that form the base of the mounds.Regardless of their true origin, Suta de Movile offers a serene escape into nature and history. The area, characterized by rolling hills, steppe environments, and occasional springs and marshes, provides a picturesque setting for exploration and photography. The landscape's solitude is broken only by a small road leading to the Pădurea Domnească (Princely Forest), making it a tranquil destination for those seeking to connect with nature and discover Moldova's hidden gems.