As strange as it may seem, the world is full of countries not recognized by the international community. One of them is Transnistria.
Transnistria, officially the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic, is a territory located in Eastern Europe.
Despite being territorially located within Moldova, it has its own borders, army, currency, and education. Transnistria is not recognized by any member country of the United Nations and is unknown to most people. It is the last European country to hold up communist emblems and flag its streets with hammers and statues of Lenin.
Apparently, it is a difficult place to get to and about which many legends are told. The first time I heard about Transnistria was through a documentary and getting there was easier than I thought.
Traveling to Transnistria is possible, and today, it has become the destination of many who wish to travel in the time of the Soviet Union. Transnistria is considered an open-air museum and is an ideal destination in the heart of Europe for those interested in a few tourist destinations and the history of the former Soviet republics.
How To Get To Transnistria
There are several ways to enter Transnistria. In all cases, it is necessary to have a Moldovan visa and comply with the travel requirements due to the pandemic. Anyone considering travel should be aware that restrictions are subject to change at short notice, and everyone should undertake proper research and carefully consider the necessity of their travel at this time.
Travel Through Moldova
The easiest way to enter Transnistria is through Moldova and travel from Chisinau to the capital of Transnistria, Tiraspol. It is only 75 km away and can be reached by bus, train, or taxi.
Buses run continuously from Chisinau Bus Station, and the trip takes about two hours. The cost is 50 leis (Moldovan currency). The quickest and easiest way to get there is to take a taxi from Chisinau airport to Tiraspol. It costs approximately 20 euros per taxi, and the journey takes one and a half hours.
Travel to Transnistria from Ukraine
The train from Odessa to Chisinau stops in Tiraspol. Train schedules change so it is advisable to check the Ukrainian Railway Network. Another option is to go by bus, but the train is much faster.
At the Transnistria immigration control they do not stamp your passport, but rather give you an immigration card stating the time they allow you to stay in Transnistria.
You should not lose it since you will need it to be able to leave. You will be fined if you lose it or exceed the authorized time limit in the region. To enter, it is only necessary to have a valid passport, have a hotel reservation, and say how many days you plan to stay. Normally, 3 to 5 days is enough.
Taking photos is not allowed at the border.
Where To Eat In Transnistria
The best place to explore local food and immerse yourself in the history of the Soviet Union is the Back in the USSR restaurant. You can also not miss the opportunity to eat in a Soviet canteen. One of the most traditional canteens that maintain Soviet decoration is the USSR Canteen (Tel: +373 778 59222).
These places offer the typical dishes of the region, among which you can’t miss eating Borscht soup, a soup made with beetroot and usually served with sour cream, associated with the cuisine of eastern and central Europe, and the Chicken Kiev, a chicken filled stand out, with butter sauce and covered in breadcrumbs. By the way, don’t forget to try the local wines and cognac. The region has a great wine history.
What To See In Transnistria
Transnistria is an open-air museum. A couple of days is enough to see the main attractions, and the best thing is that you can access them by walking. I stayed for three days and visited some neighboring cities.
Tiraspol
Tiraspol, the capital of Transnistria, is a very different destination in Eastern Europe. For those who like to go to places with few tourists, this is a city is an ideal destination since it is preserved as it has been for decades. The main monuments and statues of the capital of Transnistria are on the main avenue 25 de October:
- Tiraspol City Hall with Lenin’s bust at the entrance
- Statue of Lenin in front of the government headquarters
- Suvorov Square: Statue of Suvorov the coat of arms of Transnistria
- Monument to the Liberation with the T-34 tank
Outside the avenue you may be interested in:
- Sheriff Tiraspol Stadium
- Abandoned amusement park
- Zeleni Market and the Christmas Church
- Kvint cognac factory
Chitcani
The Dniester River is the natural border between Transnistria and Moldova, but some towns on the other side of the river belong to Transnistria. The river can be crossed by a bridge, but if you have time, there is also a ferry that takes you to the other side for just a few rubles.
When walking is not an option, taking a local bus or taxi is always a good idea because it is cheap and the distances are very short.
Across the Dniester River is the town of Chitcani, where the Noul Neamt Monastery is located. It is an Orthodox complex inhabited by Transnistrian monks who live off the wine they produce.
If you ask for permission, they will surely let you climb the bell tower and see the panoramic view. With a bit of luck, you will be able to taste some of their wines. Women must cover their heads to enter the monastery. If you are not prepared at the entrance, they will lend you a scarf to cover.
Bendery
Bendery is another popular city in Transnistria. It has an Ottoman-era fortress that is more than 600 years old. To get there, travelers usually take a bus or taxi that takes no more than 15 minutes from Tiraspol. Entering the fortress costs approximately 50 Transnistrian rubles, and inside, you will find a museum about the place’s history.
Security In Transnistria
The situation in Transnistria is quite stable. However, as it is an unrecognized territory unless you have a Russian passport, you will not have consular representation. Therefore, it is better to respect the rules.
You can take photos of all monuments and buildings except military posts. Outside of that, walking alone in the city is very safe and the people are very friendly and happy to welcome foreigners.
Languages In Transnistria
There are three official languages, Russian, Moldovan, and Ukrainian, but Russian is the official language of the administration. Few people speak English, but they will always be ready to help you with whatever you need. It would be very helpful if you could learn a few phrases in Russian so you can move around.
Souvenirs in Transnistria
Kvint cognac is of export quality and makes a great gift. Most visitors keep some banknotes, but I think sending a postcard from a country that does not exist is an incredible idea and an opportunity that few people have. There are many post offices; the main one is on 25 October Avenue.
Currency In Transnistria
Transnistria has its own currency, the Transnistrian ruble, which has no value outside the territory. This is the only place where it is accepted and can be traded, so you should make sure you don’t keep rubles once you leave the territory. One euro is roughly equivalent to 19.60 Transnistrian rubles. It is important to bring euros, US dollars or Moldovan Leis in cash because ATMs in Transnistria do not accept foreign credit cards.
Transnistria Wrap Up
I hope this guide has encourages you to Transnistria. There are many undiscovered gems in Eastern Europe that are save to travel to as a solo female traveler and Transnistria is one of them. I hope you have found this guide to Transnistria helpful in planning your trip to this country that does not exist.
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Transnistria. If you have any questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below.
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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Alessia Ramponi
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