---
title: "New ecotourism trail inaugurated in Orheiul Vechi"
url: https://moldova1.md/p/88457/new-ecotourism-trail-inaugurated-in-orheiul-vechi
published: 2026-10-24T08:17:00Z
language: en
author: "Daniela Gherman"
section: "Social"
source: moldova1.md
---

# New ecotourism trail inaugurated in Orheiul Vechi

> A new 24-kilometer eco-tourism route, titled the "Manor Trail" (Drumul Conacelor), has been inaugurated within the "Orheiul Vechi" Cultural-Natural Reserve, offering tourists the opportunity to explore the region's architectural heritage, biodiversity, and picturesque landscapes. Designed for hiking and cycling, the route passes through six localities in the Orhei district and highlights two significant historical monuments: the Lazo family manor in the village of Piatra and the Balioz manor in Ivancea.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/48ea06e7-5f35-4704-af27-8f8db929f253.jpg)

A new 24-kilometer eco-tourism route, titled the "Manor Trail" (*Drumul Conacelor*), has been inaugurated within the "Orheiul Vechi" Cultural-Natural Reserve, offering tourists the opportunity to explore the region's architectural heritage, biodiversity, and picturesque landscapes. Designed for hiking and cycling, the route passes through six localities in the Orhei district and highlights two significant historical monuments: the Lazo family manor in the village of Piatra and the Balioz manor in Ivancea.

The route features directional signs and information panels, making it easier for visitors to reach the area’s cultural and natural landmarks. According to Ion Ciobanu, General Director of the "Orheiul Vechi" Cultural-Natural Reserve, the itinerary links 19th-century architectural heritage with the beauty of the natural surroundings.

*"The 'Manor Trail' brings together 19th-century architecture found within the reserve—specifically the Balioz Manor in Ivancea and the Lazo family manor in Piatra—connected by a tourist trail that winds through an exceptional natural landscape,"* stated Ion Ciobanu.

In addition to historical sites, the route offers visitors the chance to discover the landscape and biological diversity of the "Orheiul Vechi" Cultural-Natural Reserve—a site of national importance located in the gorge of the Răut River. The area is notable for its spectacular geological formations, stretches of steppe and forest, aquatic ecosystems, and archaeological remains.

Dmitri Boreșov, a senior specialist in the reserve’s Biodiversity Department, explains that this diversity of habitats supports a rich fauna, ranging from various fish species to birds and reptiles.

*"What makes this place unique? It is a vast mosaic of biotopes, where rocky outcrops intersect with stretches of water, steppe, and forest. Thanks to this diversity, we also find a very rich fauna here,"* the specialist noted. He also highlighted the diversity of the ichthyofauna, noting that, although the Răut River is relatively small, it is home to several fish species. Among his recent discoveries is the northern pike. Furthermore, the area is significant for both nesting and migratory birds. The rocky outcrops provide favorable conditions for various snake species, including the Caspian whipsnake (yellow-bellied snake), the grass snake, and the common European viper.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/81839fc6-540c-46c4-a72a-06e70f995821.jpg)

**Lazo family manor: A testament to 19th-century gentry life**

One of the main attractions along the route is the Lazo family manor in the village of Piatra, built in the second half of the 19th century by Ioan and Matilda Lazo. Since 1974, the building has served as a museum, preserving elements that reflect the family’s tastes, interests, and lifestyle.

Museum curator Larisa Varvariuc showed visitors the drawing room, the fireplaces, and various interior furnishings that help recreate the atmosphere of the era. One fireplace was reconstructed from an original design after extensive restoration work.

"Shortly after the manor was built, Matilda—a woman of refined taste—traveled to Germany to the Miesing firm, a manufacturer of porcelain. She purchased pieces for two fireplaces," the curator explained.

The dining room displays a set of early 20th-century porcelain tableware, cutlery dating from the second half of the 19th century, and a porcelain tea set. According to Larisa Varvariuc, the Lazo family was known not so much for their wealth as for their intellectual pursuits and love of reading.

"They weren't considered the wealthiest members of the gentry, but rather the most intelligent. There was a great deal of reading," the curator noted.

Through its architecture, interior objects, and stories passed down through generations, the manor offers a glimpse into the life of a gentry family in 19th-century Bassarabia.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/0e65a815-83f9-4d25-b330-e38692ef7e09.jpg)

**Balioz Manor in Ivancea: An architectural monument of national importance**

Another significant stop on the "Manor Route" is the Karabet Balioz Manor in the village of Ivancea, Orhei district. Built in the second half of the 19th century by an Armenian nobleman, the complex is an architectural monument of national importance and a testament to Bassarabia's historical heritage.

The museum complex spans seven hectares and includes heritage buildings and a remarkable park, which enhances the site's architectural value.

Petru Vicol, Director General of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, believes that including this site in the new route will help promote it and strengthen its position on the country’s tourism map.

"We have a complex set across seven hectares that features everything: heritage buildings and an exceptional park—not just for this region, but for the entire Republic of Moldova. I am pleased that, thanks to this project, this tourist destination will become even more visible and significant on the tourism map of the Republic of Moldova," stated Petru Vicol.

Inside the manor, visitors can also see period costumes displayed on mannequins near the entrance. Museum curator Lidia Țurcan noted that these items did not belong to the Balioz family; rather, the Chekhov Theatre donated them. Nevertheless, the attire reflects the style characteristic of the second half of the 19th century. The exhibition helps recreate the atmosphere of a bygone era; alongside the spacious interiors, its decorative elements and various objects evoke life within the manor during its heyday.

**A new itinerary for promoting the Republic of Moldova’s tourism heritage**

By combining historical monuments with the region’s natural landscapes and biodiversity, the "Manor Route" (*Drumul Conacelor*) diversifies the Republic of Moldova’s tourism offerings and creates new opportunities for hiking and cycling in the Orheiul Vechi area.

The route passes through the localities of Pohorniceni, Piatra, Jeloboc, Furceni, Brănești, and Ivancea, offering visitors the chance to explore both the architectural heritage and the charm of Moldovan villages.

Two manors—the Lazo family estate in Piatra and the Balioz family estate in Ivancea—serve as key focal points along the route, each preserving a piece of the region’s history and cultural identity.

This new route invites tourists to discover the area at a more leisurely pace, connect with the history of these places, and explore the natural and cultural heritage of the Republic of Moldova.

[Audio: https://trm.blob.core.windows.net/photos/32da7e27-6151-4ddc-acde-88a0384fef7a.jpg](https://original.trm.md/video/definst/MP4:2026/10/23/24-10-26-Gherman-AFACERE-PENSIUNE.m4a/playlist.m3u8)