Cities and regions／Moldova
Place of interest ·

Orheiul Vechi

Orheiul Vechi is an inhabited cultural landscape in the Răut valley, with remains of ancient cities, rock-cut monasteries and the villages of Butuceni and Trebujeni. Explore on foot and allow time for the trails and for finding your way around.

Răut River meander beneath the limestone cliffs of Orheiul Vechi.
Photo by Iurieph Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC0
The place

What makes it special

  • The Pe urmele trecutului circuit covers 7.5 km and is described as easy, taking about three hours of walking.
  • The valley brings together remains of Şehr al-Cedid and medieval Orhei, as well as viewpoints and rock-cut monasteries.
  • Orheiul Vechi is on Moldova’s Tentative List for World Heritage, but is not inscribed as a World Heritage site.
Entrance to the Butuceni cave monastery at Orheiul Vechi.
Photo by Guttorm Flatabø from Sogndal, Norway Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY 2.0
Marked trail through the rural limestone landscape of Orheiul Vechi.
Photo by Guttorm Flatabø from Sogndal, Norway Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY 2.0
Travel atlas

Articles in Orheiul Vechi

Guides to this place

1 article

Orheiul Vechi

journal.travel Editorial

Guides to this place

1 related guides

Răut River meander beneath the limestone cliffs of Orheiul Vechi.

Orheiul Vechi trails, villages and ancient cities in Moldova

Orheiul Vechi is best understood as a broad landscape of ruins, rock-hewn hermitages, villages and riverside paths. Here is how to choose between a day trip from Chișinău and an overnight stay in Butuceni or Trebujeni.

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Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 29/09/2026