Waterfalls

Saharna

A natural and spiritual complex on the bank of the Dniester, famous for its string of natural waterfalls and for its monastery and cave hermitage. A hiking trail along the stream links wild nature with places of prayer.

Saharna is one of the best-loved places of pilgrimage and hiking in the Republic of Moldova, situated in Rezina district, on the right bank of the Dniester, about five kilometres from the town of Rezina. Here a monastic complex more than two centuries old blends harmoniously with a spectacular natural landscape, protected as a landscape reserve covering a few hundred hectares.

The gorge and the waterfalls

The river Saharna, some 16 kilometres long, has over time carved a deep gorge through the limestone plateau, forming a string of waterfalls. Along the valley more than twenty steps and falls follow one another, of which the best known is the "Gâlgâitul" or "Groapa Țiganului" (the Gypsy's Pit), where the water plunges from a few metres into a deep whirl, with a mirror of clear water at its base. The gorge carved by the river reaches impressive depths in places, and the rocky slopes, covered with forest, offer a cool and picturesque setting, especially on scorching summer days, when hikers seek the shade and freshness of the waterfalls.

The monastery and the remains

The monastic complex comprises a surface monastery, with the patronal feast of the Holy Trinity, and a cave church, "the Annunciation", carved into the rock above the gorge. The monastery was founded in the second half of the 18th century by the monk Vartolomeu Ciungu. On the plateau above are preserved the ruins of a Geto-Dacian fortification, testimony to the ancient habitation of these places, while on the Grimidon rock, according to tradition, there is said to be the footprint attributed by legend to the Mother of God — a place where a chapel was raised and where numerous pilgrims come. The monastery, founded in the second half of the 18th century, has over time housed old books and objects of worship, being an important spiritual centre of the right bank of the Dniester.

Flora and fauna

The Saharna landscape reserve protects the broadleaf woods and the fauna of the gorge, among which are several bat species. The place has a particular value through its combination of karst relief, vegetation and running water.

Getting there

Saharna lies about 110 km from Chișinău, reachable from Rezina. From the monastery set off made-up paths that climb along the waterfalls up to the river's springs, suitable for a hike of a few hours. The place is often included in routes together with the cave monastery at Țipova.

What there is to see

A complex of waterfallsMonastery and cave hermitagePlace of pilgrimage

Activities

Drumeție

Pelerinaj

Fotografie

Type: Waterfalls
Area: Raionul Rezina
Season: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Se încarcă atlasul…

Where to sleep, eat and taste nearby

Places to stay, eat and taste from our directory, sorted by distance. Every one rates at least 4 stars on Google with over 100 reviews.

Stay7.1 km

Villa Ana

4.7(105)

Villa Ana is a small hotel, registered on Orhei street at number 20. The public data about the locality is contradictory, so the exact position is worth confirming directly before setting off — especially if you are arriving in the evening. The property welcomes families with children. No other services are detailed: no meals, no parking, no particular facilities. It is the kind of accommodation suited to a transit night rather than a stay. For anyone travelling along the country's northern axis, it may be useful to have the number to hand as a fallback.

See details

Restaurant7.4 km

Drive Cafe

4.6(128)

Drive Cafe is a gastropub in Rezina, a town set on the bank of the Dniester, in the district that also holds Saharna monastery. The hours stretch from ten in the morning to eleven at night, and on Saturday and Sunday until one in the morning — a sign that the weekend has a different rhythm. It has a terrace, takes children and groups and accepts bookings. Parking, in the courtyard or on the street, is free. The bar-restaurant format makes it suitable both for a meal and for a long evening after a day on the north-eastern monastery route.

See details

Restaurant7.6 km

Plai

4.0(108)

On bulevardul Alexei Șciusev, in Rezina, the town on the right bank of the Dniester, facing Rîbnița. It is registered as an events venue, not as a restaurant with an à la carte menu — and that defines its function. It opens at ten in the morning and runs until eleven at night, on every day of the week, with no day off. It is, therefore, the address for weddings, christenings and group meals in the Rezina area, not the place you walk into on impulse for lunch. Wheelchair access is not provided.

See details

Restaurant7.7 km

Galanto Cafe

4.4(579)

Galanto Cafe stands on the walkway along the central street in Rezina, a town on the bank of the Dniester. It runs daily from ten in the morning to half past eleven at night, with breakfast served — a window that covers both the morning coffee and the late evening, in a town with limited options. It has a terrace, takes children and groups and accepts bookings. The seating is wheelchair accessible, parking in the courtyard and on the street is free, and prices sit in the mid range. Pets are not admitted.

See details

Restaurant7.8 km

Retro

4.4(330)

A café and bar on the walkway along the central street in Rezina, right in the promenade area of the town on the Dniester. Long hours, identical all week, from ten in the morning to midnight — it works as well for the morning coffee as for a drink late in the evening, which in a town of this size means a great deal. Terrace, bookings accepted, breakfast served, space for groups and families with children. Free parking of its own and on the street. Prices in the mid range. Dogs are not admitted.

See details

Restaurant7.8 km

Restaurantul / Terasă "Lilia"

4.4(146)

On strada Mihai Eminescu, in the centre of Rezina, on the right bank of the Dniester. The terrace is part of the name and of the identity of the place, used intensively in the warm season. Hours from nine in the morning to eleven at night, every day, with breakfast served and vegetarian options on the menu. Of the venues in the area, it is the best equipped for accessibility: parking, entrance, toilet and wheelchair-adapted places — the full combination, rare in the provinces. Bookings accepted, free parking. Prices in the mid range.

See details