Official Name

Тирасполь (Tiraspol'). That is the Russian and most common name of the town. The Ukrainian name is Тираспіль (Tyraspil'), and the Moldovan name, written with Cyrillic letters, Тираспол (Tiraspol). [ Tiras ] is the old Greek name of the river Dniestr. [ -pol ] is also Greek and derives from the word "Polis" which simply means 'town' (as in Acropolis). Quite weird that this town, founded in the 18th century, has a Greek name...

Location

	Tiraspol

Tiraspol stretches along the river Днестр (Dniestr). The Dniestr meanders south of the town before the river flows direction Black Sea. The Moldovan capital →Chişinău is around 65 km away, the port city of →Odesa less than 100 km. The border to the Ukraine north and east of Tiraspol is less than 10 km away.

Population

Tiraspol has around 185,000 inhabitants, making it the largest town of the →PMR and the second largest town of the →Republic of Moldova.

Orientation

In contradiction to many other towns in the former Soviet Union, almost no place name has been changed: ul. Kommunisticheskaya, ul. Sovietskaya, ul. Mira (Peace rd) etc - everything is still there. The main train station is a bit away from the city centre and marks the end of ул. Ленина (ul. Lenina, ul=street). All buses to Tiraspol run to the square in front of the train station, but before they stop in the centre of town, too. There's an exchange booth in the train station, but the rate is worse than in exchange booths in the centre. Follow Lenin rd from the train station, and you will soon pass the large and beautiful парк им. Кирова (Kirov Park). As in many other Soviet towns, the layout of streets forms a perfect grid, making it almost impossible to get lost. Lenin rd leads straight to the ул. 25 окт. (ul. 25 October), which is the long main road of the capital.

	The small train station of Tiraspol

All the important museums, administration buildings and other attractions line up along this street. In the centre of town, the 25 October street crosses пл. Конституции (pl. Konstitutii, Constitution Square) featuring a Suvorov-Monument and a rundown Palace of Culture. When you walk left from there, you will soon get to a small bridge spanning the river Dniestr. Further to the west, there's the Presidential Palace, the building og the Supreme Soviet and so on. If you continue walking westwards, you will enter the long suburbs of Tiraspol with spacious residential areas. There aren't many historic buildings in town. However, there's definitely no lack of monuments. The streets are surprisingly clean and there isn't much traffic.

Getting there / transportation

Tiraspol is easily accessible by bus and by train from →Chişinău and the →Ukraine. There are also several direct buses to →Gagauzia and →Bălţi. For more information on how to get to Tiraspol see →Getting there: PMR. Old trolleybuses run along 25 October street. Line No 1 and 19 run all the way to →Bendery. The fare is 0.7 Rouble (€ 0.06), to be paid on the bus. Halfway, you can see the brand new Sheriff-Stadium on the right side (when coming from Tiraspol).

As a result of the Russian-Turkish war between 1787 and 1791, Russia added the →Crimea and a part of Bessarabia to its vast territory. Now it was necessary to colonize the new areas. General А.В. Суворов (A.V. Suvorov), today the national hero of Transdniestr, decided to built a fortress in present-day Tiraspol in 1792. Soon, a town developed around the fortress. Since Tiraspol marked the edge of the Russian empire, many wars struck the strategically important town. In the year 1918, Tiraspol was occupied by →Romania, but two years later it was recaptured by the newly founded Soviet Union. Between 1929 and 1940, Tiraspol was the capital of the МАССР (MASSR) (see →History of the PMR). From 1941 to 1944, the town was occupied by Nazi Germany's Wehrmacht. In the year 1989, Tiraspol was the centre of the secessionist movement. One year later, it was declared capital of Transdniestr aka the PMR. The town itself was not attacked during the short independence war.

	25 October street - the main street of Tiraspol

The main street of Tiraspol is very long and offers some of the best shops of the country. But there are only a few shops compared to other cities. The atmosphere is a little bit strange, because there aren't many people in the streets and there's not much traffic. But it's quite clean. The town itself is spacious and has a lot of green. Large memorials characterize the centre - they are mostly dedicated to the victims of the Soviet Afğānistān adventure and the fallen heroes of the short war in 1992. Of course there's also a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and an Eternal Flame etc. Large banners and hoardings remind the visitor where he is: In the glorious Pridniestran-Moldovan Republic. But there's even capitalist product advertisement here and there.

	Suvorov-Monument and the presidential palace

Opposite the Presidential Palace (which doesn't look like a palace at all) on Constitution square, visitors are going to face the harsh reality of this country: Below the Horseman Statue of General and founder Suvarov, within sight of the presidential office, mainly old people are desperately trying to sell the shirt off their back. The things they offer, most of it are household items, are completely valueless and can bring in a few kopekes only. What a sad view.

	Recently restored church in Tiraspol

There aren't only communist monuments in town - there's also a beautiful, obviously newly restored church right in the centre of town. Although the country is ruled by communists, the people aren't really atheistic. Coincidentally I witnessed a service in a church in Bendery, and the church was full of people. There's also a Drama Theatre in Tiraspol. Thanks to the fact that the entire industry of Tiraspol is located outside the city centre, it's quite a pleasant town. The residential areas, mostly stretching along the road to Bendery, look a little bit drab but still better than expected. There are many soldiers of the PMR army in the streets - some of them completely wasted.

Only a few kilometres to the west, there's the small town of →Bendery, which became the main battlefield of the war in 1992. It's also worth a short stopover.

In the centre of town, there's the hotel Дружба (Drushba, Friendship). The hotel has the typical two-tier price system, but as far as I've heard it's still very cheap for foreigners. Before checking in, foreigners have to register with the local police.

If you want to know what a canteen was like in the former Soviet Union, you should head for Кафе Чудесница (Cafe Chudesnitsa) (Café Wonderful!?). The interior of the self-service cafeteria is dark and old-fashioned and nothing seemed to have changed during the last decades. A lunch meal for two persons including soft drinks set us back less than € 1. Staff there was extremely friendly. You will find this interesting place near the post office on 25 October street. The name is written in Russian only.

Leogrand Hotel & Convention Center
2012 Chisinau · 77. Mitropolit Varlaam street
Since: 2002 Location: Map Number of floors: 7 Number of rooms: 143 Rates from: US$149 Rating: 8.3/10 More Information	Leogrand Hotel & Convention Center is conveniently located in the popular Chisinau area. Featuring a complete list of amenities, guests will find their stay at the property a comfortable one. Facilities like shops, elevator, laundry service/dry cleaning, car park, room service are readily available for you to enjoy. Designed and decorated to make guests feel right at home, each room comes with non smoking rooms, bathrobes, in room safe, bathtub, television LCD/plasma screen. To enhance guests' stay, the hotel offers recreational facilities such as fitness center, jacuzzi, massage, sauna. Friendly staff, great facilities and close proximity to all that Chisinau has to offer are three great reasons you should stay at Leogrand Hotel & Convention Center.

Mesogios Hotel
MD2012 Chisinau · 23. Armeneasca
Since: 2002 Location: Map Number of floors: 4 Number of rooms: 18 Rates from: US$101 Rating: 8.3/10 More Information	The 4-star Mesogios Hotel offers comfort and convenience whether you're on business or holiday in Chisinau. The hotel offers a high standard of service and amenities to suit the individual needs of all travelers. All the necessary facilities, including bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, smoking area, elevator, room service, are at hand. Internet access – wireless, non smoking rooms, shower, bathrobes, air conditioning can be found in each guestroom. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. For reliable service and professional staff, Mesogios Hotel caters to your needs.

Weekend Boutique Hotel
MD 2025 Chisinau · 7. Arborilor
Since: 2009 Location: Map Number of floors: 5 Number of rooms: 23 Rates from: US$120 Rating: 7.7/10 More Information	Set in a prime location of Chisinau, Weekend Boutique Hotel puts everything the city has to offer just outside your doorstep. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Take advantage of the hotel's family room, room service, car park, 24hr room service, safety deposit boxes. Guestrooms are designed to provide an optimal level of comfort with welcoming decor and convenient amenities like non smoking rooms, air conditioning, mini bar, satellite/cable TV, internet access – wireless. The hotel's peaceful atmosphere extends to its recreational facilities which include massage. For reliable service and professional staff, Weekend Boutique Hotel caters to your needs.

Business & SPA Hotel OLSI
MD 2070 Chisinau · 26/3 Bernardazzi
Since: 2009 Location: Map Number of floors: 3 Number of rooms: 10 Rates from: US$110 Rating: 7.0/10 More Information	Business & SPA Hotel OLSI is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests in Chisinau. Both business travelers and tourists can enjoy the hotel's facilities and services. All the necessary facilities, including family room, bar/pub, room service, salon, laundry service/dry cleaning, are at hand. Designed for comfort, guestrooms offer satellite/cable TV, mini bar, shower, washing machine, desk to ensure a restful night. To enhance guests' stay, the hotel offers recreational facilities such as spa, sauna. For reliable service and professional staff, Business & SPA Hotel OLSI caters to your needs.

Europa Hotel
MD2008 Chisinau · 16 Vasile Lupu
Since: 2009 Location: Map Number of floors: 7 Number of rooms: 56 Rates from: US$99 Rating: 6.8/10 More Information	The 3-star Europa Hotel offers comfort and convenience whether you're on business or holiday in Chisinau. Offering a variety of facilities and services, the hotel provides all you need for a good night's sleep. Safety deposit boxes, pets allowed, family room, restaurant, meeting facilities are there for guest's enjoyment. Television, air conditioning, satellite/cable TV, hair dryer, desk can be found in each guestroom. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. A welcoming atmosphere and excellent service are what you can expect during your stay at Europa Hotel.

Bella Donna Hotel
2001 Chisinau · str. Bucuresti 9
Since: 2008 Location: Map Number of floors: Number of rooms: 17 Rates from: US$95 Rating: 6.7/10 More Information	Bella Donna Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests in Chisinau. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. To be found at the hotel are Wi-Fi in public areas, restaurant, smoking area, bar/pub, pets allowed. Relax in your comfortable guestroom, featuring air conditioning, hair dryer, internet access – wireless, jacuzzi bathtub, internet access – wireless (complimentary). The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. For reliable service and professional staff, Bella Donna Hotel caters to your needs.

Stella de Lux Hotel
MD2001 Chisinau · 26, Bulgara
Since: 2005 Location: Map Number of floors: 3 Number of rooms: 10 Rates from: US$122 Rating: 6.7/10 More Information	Stop at Stella de Lux Hotel to discover the wonders of Chisinau. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Laundry service/dry cleaning, coffee shop, car park, tours, restaurant are just some of the facilities on offer. Guestrooms are designed to provide an optimal level of comfort with welcoming decor and convenient amenities like shower, mini bar, refrigerator, television, non smoking rooms. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. No matter what your reasons are for visiting Chisinau, Stella de Lux Hotel will make you feel instantly at home.

Gloria Hotel
2024 Chisinau · 9/1 Pietrariei Str
Since: 2006 Location: Map Number of floors: 3 Number of rooms: 22 Rates from: US$122 Rating: 5.7/10 More Information	Located in Chisinau, Gloria Hotel is a perfect starting point from which to explore Chisinau. Featuring a complete list of amenities, guests will find their stay at the property a comfortable one. Smoking area, airport transfer, tours, car park, Wi-Fi in public areas are there for guest's enjoyment. Non smoking rooms, desk, satellite/cable TV, internet access – wireless, balcony/terrace can be found in each guestroom. Entertain the hotel's recreational facilities, including jacuzzi, indoor pool, outdoor pool, garden, steamroom. Gloria Hotel is an excellent choice from which to explore Chisinau or to simply relax and rejuvenate.

Jolly Alon Hotel
MD 2004 Chisinau · 37, Maria Cibotari street
Since: 1991 Location: Map Number of floors: 6 Number of rooms: 81 Rates from: US$153 Rating: 5.3/10 More Information	Stop at Jolly Alon Hotel to discover the wonders of Chisinau. The hotel offers a high standard of service and amenities to suit the individual needs of all travelers. Service-minded staff will welcome and guide you at the Jolly Alon Hotel. Designed and decorated to make guests feel right at home, each room comes with internet access – wireless, bathtub, air conditioning, mini bar, in room safe. To enhance guests' stay, the hotel offers recreational facilities such as massage, indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steamroom. For reliable service and professional staff, Jolly Alon Hotel caters to your needs.

Jumbo Hotel
MD2015 Chisinau · 23/3. Decebal
Since: 2008 Location: Map Number of floors: 8 Number of rooms: 39 Rates from: US$131 Rating: 5.3/10 More Information	Ideally located in the prime touristic area of Chisinau, Jumbo Hotel promises a relaxing and wonderful visit. The hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Take advantage of the hotel's room service, car park, 24hr room service, safety deposit boxes, business center. The well-appointed guestrooms feature desk, bathtub, hair dryer, bathrobes, mini bar. The hotel offers various recreational opportunities. No matter what your reasons are for visiting Chisinau, Jumbo Hotel will make you feel instantly at home.

• www.city-tir.idknet.com The official website of Tiraspol - unfortunately in Russian only.
• www.greatestcities.com/Europe/Moldova/Tiraspol_city.html A few lines and some links about Tiraspol. English.

Do you have or do you know a good website about Tiraspol? Don't hesitate, let me know! After checking it, I would love to add it to the link list. You can submit a link by using the →contact form. Note that commercial websites will be treated differently.

nabil wrote:

please please please
does somebody have a map of tiraspol ?

thank you !!!

Posted by nabil on August 31, 2008 08:22