Lumânarea Recunoștinței (The Candle of Gratitude)
A monument raised on the rocky bank of the Dniester at the edge of Soroca, Lumânarea Recunoștinței is visible from a distance but has to be earned on foot: a long stairway climbs from the valley to the base of the stone tower, and from the top a wide view opens over the river and the hills beyond the water. It is one of the symbolic landmarks of the country's north, dedicated to the memory of those who preserved the language and history of these lands. Access is free, at any hour, and the climb calls for comfortable shoes and a little patience.
Above the Dniester, at the edge of Soroca, a stone tower shaped like a candle marks one of the most photographed points in northern Moldova. The monument is dedicated to the memory of those who preserved the language, faith and history of this region, and its position — on a high rock above the river — makes the visit as much a short hike as a cultural stop.
What you'll see
The monument itself is a slender stone tower, visible from a distance along the bank of the Dniester. You reach it up a long stairway of several hundred steps cut into the hillside; along the way there are landings where you can stop to catch your breath and look back. From the top the panorama of the Dniester valley opens up, with the river's meanders, the rocky bank and the fields on the far side. The site is permanently open and has no interior circuit: in practice you climb, stay as long as you like and come back down the same way.
Getting there
Soroca is in the north of the country, roughly 160 km from Chișinău — around three hours by car, somewhat longer by coach. From the town centre the monument is a few kilometres away, and Strada Lumânării leads to the foot of the stairway, where you park at the roadside. There is no laid-out car park with facilities, and wheelchair access is not possible because of the steps. Ways of travelling from the capital are set out in the transport section.
When to go
Being outdoors and accessible around the clock, the monument can be visited in any season. Late spring and autumn are the most comfortable: the climb is hard in the heat, and in winter the steps can be slippery. Morning light and the light before sunset are the best for photographs across the valley.
Good to know
- At a relaxed pace, the visit takes between 45 minutes and an hour and a half, depending on how long you stay at the top.
- The climb is demanding for small children and for people with reduced mobility; there is no road up to the monument.
- Take water with you — there are no shops along the way.
- It combines naturally with the other places to visit in the town and in the north of the country.
- If you are staying overnight in the area, check accommodation options well ahead, as the choice in Soroca is limited.
Galerie
Pe scurt
Programele se schimbă sezonier. Verifică la sursa oficială înainte de a te deplasa.
Alte obiective în Soroca
Unde dormi și unde mănânci lângă Lumânarea Recunoștinței (The Candle of Gratitude)
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.
Stay1.2 kmVila de Nord
A villa converted into a hotel, on Independenței street in Soroca, a short distance from the town centre and from the descent to the Dniester. It is the discreet sort of place, without a large sign on the street, suited to a short stop on the northern route. The available data confirms only that the property welcomes families with children — no information appears about a restaurant or other services, so it is worth asking in advance what is available for breakfast. Its position makes it convenient for a day at Soroca Fortress and a morning departure towards Rezina or Bălți.
See details
Stay1.6 kmHotel Europa
Hotel Europa is on Vasile Alecsandri street, in Soroca, a short distance from the town's administrative centre and from the road running down to the fortress and the Dniester. Among the properties in town, it is one of the few with wheelchair-access arrangements: both the entrance and the parking space are adapted. Children are welcome, which recommends it for a family stop. Soroca deserves more than one night if you want to take in both the fortress and the route to the Dniester monasteries — the hotel works well as a fixed point for two days.
See details
Stay2.1 kmHotel Central Soroca
The hotel stands right in the centre of Soroca, on Mihai Kogălniceanu street, a few minutes' walk from Soroca Fortress and the bank of the Dniester. For anyone heading north along the fortress route, it is one of the few genuinely central options in town. Beyond the rooms, the building houses a restaurant with a bar and a relaxation area with a sauna, a bath and a pool, plus an events hall. Families are welcomed without reservation, which counts if you are making the trip with children. Useful as a base for a night or two, enough to take in the fortress, the Candle of Gratitude and the Roma village on the hill.
See details
Restaurant2.2 kmLa Faleza
La Faleza is on strada Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu, in Soroca, a town that draws its visitors from the medieval fortress on the bank of the Dniester. The hours are daily, from ten in the morning to ten at night, with a single exception: on Monday it opens only at midday. It is, in practice, an address for lunch and dinner, not for breakfast. It takes children and groups and accepts bookings, which counts in a town visited often by coach parties. Parking, in the courtyard or on the street, is free. Pets are not admitted.
See details
Restaurant2.5 kmBriz
Briz is a restaurant in Soroca, a town on the bank of the Dniester whose fortress brings in most of the north's visitors. The hours are the same all week, from ten in the morning to eleven at night, and include breakfast — which makes it useful as the first stop of the day, not only for dinner. The terrace runs in season, the dining room takes children and groups, and bookings are accepted. The price level is mid-range. Wheelchair access is not provided, either at the entrance or at the parking, and dogs are not admitted.
See details
Restaurant2.6 kmAmour
Amour operates in Soroca, a town where dinner after the visit to the fortress on the bank of the Dniester does not have many alternatives. The hours are unusually long for the provinces: open daily from nine in the morning to eleven at night, with breakfast served. The terrace catches the warm season, and the dining room takes groups and accepts bookings — useful if you arrive by coach or with a large family. Prices sit in the mid range. Parking is on the street, free. Dogs are not admitted.
See detailsCazare lângă Lumânarea Recunoștinței (The Candle of Gratitude)
Hoteluri și apartamente din apropiere, cu prețuri comparate între Booking, Airbnb și alte platforme.
Map provided by Stay22. Bookings are completed on the partner platforms.
Frequently asked questions
Întrebări despre Lumânarea Recunoștinței (The Candle of Gratitude)
Is the journey to Soroca worth it for this monument alone?
It is rare to make a three-hour journey for a single sight. Lumânarea Recunoștinței is usually visited on the same day as the town's other attractions, and together they comfortably fill a day trip from Chișinău.
How long does the climb to the top take?
The stairway has several hundred steps, and an unhurried climb with a few stops takes around 15–25 minutes. The descent is noticeably quicker. With time spent at the viewpoint, allow about an hour in total.
Can you come at any time, and is it suitable with children?
The monument is an open site, accessible around the clock, and it suits families. The many steps do tire small children, though, so plan breaks and avoid the hottest hours in midsummer.
Organise your stay
Where to stay
Real hotels and guesthouses, with prices compared on the map across Booking, Airbnb and other platforms.
SeeWhere to eat
Restaurants in Chișinău, from traditional kitchens to modern rooms.
SeeWhen to come
The calendar of holidays and festivals, season by season, so you can time your visit.
SeeVezi tot ce merită în Chișinău
Muzee, parcuri, monumente și cel mai bun traseu de 48 de ore prin capitală.
