Durlești: Archaeology and Local History

Durlești tells a story of several historical layers: from an ancient fortification to settlements from different periods and a 19th-century church. Cetățuie, in Grozești Forest, also known as Durleşti Forest, is especially vivid. Its roughly circular enclosure measures about 50 × 45 metres. Together with the town’s history, this makes for a destination where the past cannot be reduced to a single date. If you are travelling with family, the contrast between periods offers an easy-to-follow thread: Which traces belong to antiquity, which to the Middle Ages, and which shape the more recent history of the town?

Placing Durlești in Relation to Chișinău

Durlești lies northwest of Chișinău and is separated from the city by Hotinului Street. This helps you locate Durlești in relation to Chișinău. The town has a bus station; the timetables for the routes are published at autogara.md. Check the relevant timetable before travelling. When looking for a holiday rental in Durlești, consider what you want to focus on during your stay: are you mainly interested in local history and archaeological traces, or would you also like to explore the routes in the surrounding area?

Cetățuie: Shape, Location, and Dating

A 2024 archaeological report places the Cetățuie fortification about 1.5 kilometres northwest of Durlești and roughly 0.5 kilometres south of the E581 European route, in Grozești Forest, also known as Durleşti Forest. The archaeological monument dates from the 4th to the 2nd century BC. A ditch in front of the rampart remains, measuring about 6.0 to 7.5 metres wide and 1.0 to 1.4 metres deep. Cetățuie therefore has several specific features: its roughly circular enclosure, the ditch in front of it, and a date reaching far back into antiquity.

Archaeological Traces from Different Periods

Other archaeological settlements broaden the historical perspective. Durleşti III belongs to the second Iron Age and dates from the 5th to the 3rd century BC; Durleşti II includes phases of the second Iron Age and the late Roman period. Durleşti VI dates from the late Roman period, the 3rd to 4th century AD, while Durleşti I – “La vie” is an 11th- to 12th-century AD settlement. There is also a necropolis on Livezilor Street dating from the 2nd to 4th century. For families who enjoy comparing periods, this creates a clear contrast between Iron Age and Roman traces and the medieval settlement.

Local History and Cultural Traces

Durleşti is documented in a record from 1600 and developed on the territory of the two old settlements of Cartușa and Durleşti. The Church of “Sf. Arhanghel Mihail” at 5 Bisericii Street is a listed architectural monument dating from 1818 to 1825. The parish house is also part of the town’s history: the sculptor A. Plămădeală was born there. This connects the town to a specific artist’s biography. A folk sculpture can also be found in the Durleşti cemetery. Together, these places and associations show that Durlești’s history encompasses architecture and sculpture as well as archaeological finds.

Forest and Trails in the Surrounding Area

The forest adds a focus for nature and trails. On 3 May 2025, the installation of the first signposts and markers for tourist trails in Durleşti Forest was reported. A report from May 2025 also describes tourist trails in the area around Durlești that were used for recreation. This adds another focus to trip planning alongside the archaeological sites. If you plan to explore the trails, please check current conditions in advance.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Vadul Lui Vodă, Tohatin, Vatra, Ghidighici, Codru, Chișinău, Trușeni

Back to the main travel guide: Chisinau.