Moldova: Vechi (Old) Orchei

Old Orchei is a unique area in central Moldova encompassing several limestone ridges that bear the archeological and historical monuments of several different time periods and civilizations. There are prehistoric rock caves and earth houses from the 6th century BC, Mongolian Golden Horde stayed here in the 12th century, there was a medieval Moldavian fort and later an Orthodox monastery. There are still two monasteries – one literally inside the rock wall with amazing living quarters and windows cut into the stone wall. Another stands at the highest point of the ridge and has awesome wall paintings inside. And the landscape of ridges and fruit fields is beautiful as well.