Țâpova is one of the most famous nature reserves in Moldova

The Țâpova Landscape Reserve is a protected area, located near the village of the same name in Rezina district, Republic of Moldova.
It covers an area of 306 ha.
The object is managed by two organizations: the Orhei State Forestry Service of 204 ha and the Agricultural Enterprise “Lalova” of 102 ha.
The area includes a complex of cliffs along the Dniester, a gorge, caves, cultural monuments, a rock monastery (11th century), waterfalls on steep slopes, forest of gorun, scumpie, hazel, hazelnut and other species.
Țâpova is surrounded by an aura of legends and myths.
The worldly remains of the ancient singer Orpheus, who, according to legend, was buried in the cave of one of the local waterfalls, are still being sought here.
Țâpova is also unique in that only here, without human intervention, do fruit trees grow and continue to bear fruit.
And it’s not a question of wildness, the fruit grown here is no smaller or less sweet than in cultivated gardens.
And with taste they even surpass their cultural counterparts.
This reminds you of the doctrine of permaculture, which states that when plants grow in a harmonious natural environment, they don’t need to be tended by humans and retain qualities of the best.
Situated on the banks of the Dniester River, the Țâpova Monastery stands out as a remarkable cave monastery, probably the most impressive in Moldova and one of the largest in Europe.
With multiple levels stretching over a generous area, this monastery once housed over 700 monks in its hermitages, and today there are hundreds of monastery cells in the surrounding area.
The origins of the monastic community date back long before the establishment of the feudal state of Moldavia.
Some of the monasteries are said to have been dug into the rocks on the banks of the Dniester as far back as the 10th-12th centuries, to protect against barbarian invasions from the Ukrainian steppes.
The Tâpova Monastery reveals a mesmerizing view of the Dniester riverbed, standing 100m above the water.
Carved out of limestone, the Tâpova Monastery preserves the first rooms of the hermitage, originally located further north in a cliff above a steep bank.
The anonymous craftsmen made the most of the relief of the site, transforming the rock mass into an architectural creation subordinated to their artistic vision.
The monastic complex comprises three levels, housing several rooms, including two churches.
The first church, built in the 13th-14th centuries, and the second church, built in the 16th-18th centuries, coexist with the bell tower, the cellars, the storerooms, the storerooms, the pantries and other spaces necessary for daily life, built in the 19th century.
Tâpova Monastery, an architectural masterpiece of Moldavian cave architecture, is astonishing in its complexity.
With more than 20 rooms connected by staircases and interior galleries, it is a treasure trove of connections and passages.
The Church of the Assumption, with its generous space and basilica style, impresses.
The plastered walls and hemispherical dome create an imitation of heaven.
With the calming of the times, the monks went out over the bank and founded the hermitage and the present-day household.
Particularly after 1756, when the hermitage land was donated by Radu Racoviță to the Dobrovăț monastery in Vaslui County. In 1776, Monk Bartholomew Bartholomew, the founder of Saharna monastery, revitalized the hermitage, repairing the monastery’s khili and church, and restarting services.
This year marked the beginning of the monastery’s expanding prosperity, with the cave church reconfigured for larger spaces.
The waterfalls of Țâpova are significant natural features, bringing a sense of tranquility to the picturesque Moldovan landscape.
The Țâpova stream gently curves towards the Dniester, forming a series of cascades ranging in height from 10-16 meters.
These cascades not only offer a pleasant view, but were also of practical importance in the past, powering the water mills in the area.
For those with a desire for adventure and exploration, access to these natural formations requires a short journey on a road that may not be exactly easy, but with each step, the discovery becomes more and more apparent.
Once at the waterfalls, visitors can admire their size and beauty, as they are among the highest waterfalls in the area.
With surrounding cliffs and attractive natural landscapes, the Țâpova waterfalls are a great place for nature, photography and adventure enthusiasts.
This exciting part of Moldova is waiting to be discovered, offering a memorable experience amidst nature and its beauty.