Moldova Gallery

A dog walks past soldiers of Moldova's self-proclaimed separatist Dnestr region as

A dog walks near soldiers of Moldova's self-proclaimed separatist Dnestr region as they take part in a military parade in Tiraspol during an Independence Day celebration September 2, 2008. Moldova's separatist Dnestr region celebrated 18 years of self-styled independence on Tuesday. REUTERS/ Gleb Garanich (MOLDOVA) - GM1E4921O3O01

Old Orhei (Orheiul Vechi) with orthodox church

Old Orhei is one of Moldova's most fantastic sites. The Orheiul Vechi Monastery Complex is carved into a massive limestone cliff in this wild, rocky, remote spot. The Cave Monastery, inside a cliff overlooking the Raut River, was dug by Orthodox monks in the 13th century. It remained inhabited until the 18th century, and in 1996 a handful of monks returned and began restoring it.Old Orhei was added to the Unesco world heritage tentative list in 2014

© 2011 Frans Sellies

A dancer from Romania's northeastern region of Moldova performs the "bear" dance

A dancer from Romania's northeastern region of Moldova performs the "bear" dance, a ritual for good luck in the New Year, during a traditional parade in Comanesti, 300 km northeast of Bucharest December 30, 2013. In pre-Christian rural traditions dancers used to tour from house to house in villages while singing and dancing to ward off evil. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel (ROMANIA - Tags: SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)