Valea Morilor Park: Chișinău's Green Retreat

Valea Morilor Park, located in Chișinău's Buiucani sector, is a sprawling green oasis with a rich history. Established in 1950 at the initiative of Leonid Brezhnev, it was originally named the "Central Park of Culture and Rest of the Leninist Komsomol". The park spans 114 hectares and is built around Valea Morilor Lake, which covers 34 hectares.The park's design, overseen by architect Robert Kurz, includes a 2.5-kilometer ring road around the lake and four entrances. Visitors can explore diverse tree species like Canadian poplar, wild chestnut, and Japanese Sophora. The lake is home to carp, crucian carp, and ducks.One of the park's main attractions is the Summer Theater, also known as the Green Theater, built in 1957. With a seating capacity of 6,700, it's the largest open-air theater in Europe and hosts various cultural events. Other attractions include a daytime cinema, the children's town "Andries", a beach, and a boat station. The Cascades Staircase, consisting of 218 steps, is longer than the Potemkin Staircase in Odessa.Over the years, Valea Morilor Park has been a hub for water sports, including rowing, and offered sports fields, fishing spots, and a winter skating rink. In 2006, the lake was drained for cleaning and restoration, reopening in 2011. Today, Valea Morilor Park remains a popular destination for relaxation, recreation, and cultural events.