Grota Duruitoarea Veche
A Paleolithic grotto in the rock, one of Moldova’s oldest human settlements, with views over the Prut
A short climb to the rock grotto with its three Paleolithic chambers and a view over the Prut floodplain, spectacular at sunset.
Few places in Moldova take you this far back in time: people hunted mammoths here over 100,000 years ago. Do not expect a museum or panels (just an old sign), but the view from the rock over the Prut and the quiet are worth the short climb. Best at sunset.
Cut into the cliff 33 metres above Duruitoarea village, the three-chamber grotto was inhabited from the Lower Paleolithic, 100-160 thousand years ago, making it one of the oldest human settlements in the country. Archaeologists pulled out bison, rhino and mammoth bones, flint tools, pendants and even a fragment of a human jaw. Today it is a wild, unmanaged spot, with grassy paths and wide views over the Prut floodplain, spectacular at sunset.
- Impressive prehistoric history
- Wide views over the Prut
- A great sunset spot
- Easy to reach
- Wild nature, quiet
- The grotto entrance in the limestone cliff
- Sunset over the Prut floodplain from the rock
- The cave’s three chambers
- The old archaeological-monument sign
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“A place to visit to see where did the prehistoric people live. Views are great but no more than that. No info, no organized access, just a sign from Soviet period that says that this place is protected by state. I think that it could be more interesting if you come here with a guide or at least with some info about this place. When I was here there was a group of climbers insid…”
“Superb sunset spot”
“Nice and beautiful place for a weekend hike”
- No facilities or information panels
- Only an old, Soviet-era sign
- Far from Chișinău (the north, ~3 hours)