VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
This monument is the most prominent in Moldova; it symbolises the historic traditions of the people and the state. Flower-laying ceremonies are regularly performed at the pedestal of this monument on each national holiday and on days of official top and high level visits.
The monument was designed by architect Alexandru Plamadeala in 1923. The monument opened in 1927 (to replace the monument to Russian Emperor Alexander II, removed in the days of Romanian occupation), marking the 470th birthday of Stephen the Great.
In 1940, pursuant to the resolution of Romanian authorities, the monument was relocated to Vaslui (Romania), and its pedestal was blown up. In 1942, the monument was returned to the capital and taken back to Romania in 1944. It was found buried deep in the snow of a woodland park.
The monument was among the first monuments restored in Chisinau after the Great Patriotic War (June 23, 1945).
Stephen the Great (Stephen Cel Mare) was the most prominent ruler of Moldavia. Stephen the Great represents a personification of national statehood. During his reign, the Medieval Moldovan state attained its utmost military, political, and cultural prosperity. Stephen the Great came to the throne at the age of 22, and ruled the state from 1457 to 1504. He pursued a tough policy of strengthening central power and subdued the opposition of the boyars.
He founded and restored several Orthodox churches and monasteries (now located in Romania). He was canonised a saint by the Romanian Orthodox Church.
He led numerous wars and won most of them. He fought against the Ottoman Empire, Poland, Hungary, and Wallachia (ancient Romania). Nonetheless, in the absence of any substantial foreign support, he had to enter into vassalic agreements with stronger neighbours, ultimately, with Porta, having secured beneficial terms of Ottoman protectorate.
The inception of Russian-Moldovan relations is connected with Stephen the Great. Annalistic sources have proven availability of a treaty with Moscow. A correspondence between the Russian Tsar, the Polish King, and the Khan of Nagai Orda was found, containing advice to refrain from military attacks against Moldavia.
Stephen's daughter, Olesya (Elena Voloshanka) was a fiancée of the son of Ivan III; she arrived in Moscow for a wedding, but no wedding was performed due to the death of the fiancé, Ivan the Young.
