Hostels in TIRASPOL, MOLDOVA

Tiraspol – Largest Open-Air Soviet Communism Museum City

Tiraspol, located on River Dniester’s eastern bank, is Moldova’s second largest city. The name Tiraspol, itself means a city along the “Tiras”, which was River Dniester’s ancient Greek designation. Visit this place to understand the Soviet era and the good times of Communism.

History
Tiraspol was founded in 600 B.C as Miletus’ colony. The Romans reached here and enabled the first real development of the region. It played the role of a buffer region between the Moldavians and the Tatars, during Middle Ages. During the Russian conquest in 1792, the Turks lost this region to them. Alexander Suvorov, a Russian General, built a number of fortifications along Moldova’s western border, in Tiraspol. During the Soviet domination years of the region, Tiraspol was governed by Ukrainians, Romanians as well as the Russians. Romanian attackers almost dismantled the place between 1941 and 1945. In 1991, after the demise of the Soviet Union, Tiraspol was declared as the capital of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. But, it is yet to be recognised by the international community.

Popular Places and Attractions
The city contains a lot of signs that commemorate the anniversary of its founding by Alexander Suvorov. His statue has been majestically erected in the city’s central square. One can also see Lenin’s statue near the Transnistrian Government office. Opposite to Central Square is the monument plaza featuring Soviet T-34 tanks of World War II, a flame for commemorating those who lost their lives while fighting for the city between 1941 and 1944 and some monuments in dedication of recent conflicts such as the Transnistrian War and Afghanistan’s Soviet War.

25 October Street, the main street of Tiraspol, contains a lot of interesting places for the visitors. One is able to have a good sightseeing tour of Tiraspol by walking down this street for a couple of hours. The street’s western end has the Heroes’ Cemetery along with an unknown soldier’s tomb who lost his life during one of the first fighting’s after independence. This place also has an Afghan war memorial.

Some other attractions in the city are the Presidential Palace, Football stadium, Palace of the Republic and the House of Soviets. All these Soviet influence makes Tiraspol a big open-air Soviet Communism museum.

Getting Around
Buses, marschrutes or mini-buses and taxis are some of the ways of getting in and around Tiraspol. But, one really needs to be careful against criminals while using these transport modes, a good guide is to keep small notes and coins handy to pay for your travel.

Places for Entertainment
The drama theatre and the Cultural Park are two of the few places of entertainment in Tiraspol. One can also visit the museums located in the city’s heart. The Cultural Park is full of trees and park rides. You will definitely enjoy some time people-watching over here. One can lay their hands on the popular Transnistrian Vodka or Smirnovka in the city’s markets and shops.

Accommodation
Budget hotels, bed & breakfast, youth hostels, motels, guesthouse, private and shared flats are the usual modes of tourist accommodation in Tiraspol.

Currency
The currency used in Tiraspol is the Transnistrian Ruble. Currency exchanges can be found in most of the major stores and hotels, check the news and internet for the latest exchange rates. Payment through debit and credit cards is not entertained in Tiraspol.

Tiraspol group accommodation | Cheap hostels & budget hotels