Palaces, nobiliary dwellings, mansions, urban and rural villas of the Moldovan aristocracy are described in the documents dating back to the XVII-XVIIIth centuries and records of foreign travelers, who paid visit to these regions. There were preserved many princely dwellings, palaces and mansions on the territory of Moldova, rightward to the river Pruth, dating back to the XVII-XVIIIth centuries. In Basarabia and Transdniestria - regions, in which the Republic of Moldova is divided, - the oldest boyars' residencies are dating from the end of the XVIIIth - beginning of the XIXth centuries. The housing monuments went through a rapid evolution, partially explained by the development of agriculture in rural areas and commerce and administration in urban localities along the XIXth and beginning of the XXth centuries. The architectural monuments of this type represent a peculiar interest for the historians of architecture, since the influence of various successive and stylistic orientations, present in the XIXth century on the territory of Basarabia and Transdniestria was reflected in them better than anywhere else.
Strong flavor of national traditions, Russian classicism and neoclassicism, as well as of the "empire" style, eclecticism from the beginning of the XXth century left its distinct blueprint in the architecture and decor of such buildings.
Initially, the oldest boyars' houses and their householding annexes were constructed by means of a framework, wood-wattled by twigs, which resembled traditional peasants' houses with attics and verandas, but surpassing them in dimensions. From the decorative point of view, mansion of the landlord Russo from the village of Micauti (Judets of Chisinau) may serve as an early example of the organization of boyars' tenant's space in the beginning of the XIXth century - a low house with several rooms placed one by one, a veranda, a roof in four waters, having been endowed only by a gallery with columns, placed along the facade. The mansion of the exciseman, Zamfir Ralli, was somewhat similar in its initial variant, having been constructed in the first half of the XIXth century and reconstructed in the 70's of the XXth century by the architect Robert Curt to act as a memorial house "A.S. Puskin", which is currently located in the village of Dolna (Judets of Chisinau).
The neoclassicism in its variant, typical of Tsarist Empire, evolves in Basarabia starting with the 20's of the XIXth century. In Basarabia, one of the first edifices constructed in the spirit of the neoclassicist style is the mansion of Ecaterina Rosetti-Roznovanu, founded in the 20's of the XIXth century. Porticos with columns constructed in Ionic, Doric or Corinthian (seldom) style were often utilized in the framework of neoclassicist architecture. The boyar Celac's mansion (which later on belonged to the Malischi family) may serve as an example of this order in the rural architecture of the village of Bahmut (former Rayon Calarasi). Tenant's and sitting rooms were placed in the enfilade, whereas working and adjacent rooms were linked via corridors. Similar planimetric solutions may be found in the neoclassicist nobiliary residencies, specific to the mansion of Iusnevski, located in the village of Hrustovaia (in the neighborhood of the city of Camenca) or to the mansion of Strajescu family in the village of Vascauti (Judets of Soroca).
Neoclassicism present in the architecture of boyars' mansions had certain local peculiarities in Basarabia. Thus, rooms placed around the parlor in Cazimir's family mansion in the village of Cernoleuca (Judets of Edinet), were completed by a traditional gallery and an attic, whereas Ionic columns could be distinguished by the proportions improper to this architectural order. In the mansion of Leonardi family in the village of Cubolta (Judets of Balti), constituted as an ensemble in 1835, the neoclassicist architecture and decor are organically combined with the environment, formed from a park with alleys covered by pebbles and sculptured fountains. The palace of the Countess Trubetskaya in the city of Camenca (Transdniestria), built in the 30-40's of the XIXth century, was also projected in the classicist style as a component part of a vaster landscape ensemble with vine terraces, wine cellars and basements, which initially belonged to the Prince P.H. Witgenstein.
In the second half of the XIXth century other styles are permeating in the architecture of rural villas and mansions of Basarabia. Thus, in the mansion of Stremiadi family, located in the village of Sofrancani (Judets of Edinet) the facades are decorated in the Neogothic style. The Neogothic style is also present in the mansion of V. Calmutchi in the village of Corjeuti (Judets of Edinet) and in the mansion of Cantacuzino family in the village of Poiana (Judets of Edinet). Certain planimetric compositions appear, which are executed in a completely new technique, as well as decorative patterns, which used to be widely spread before in the Occidental Europe. They may be distinguished, for instance, in the mansion of Ion Hasnas in the village of Sofia (Judets of Balti) - an extremely comfortable mansion with an enameled tile kiln and ornamental decor. As compared to the Hasnas mansion, the mansions of Manolachi Negruzzi in the village of Tarnova (Judets of Edinet) and Constantin Stamati in the city of Ocnita (Judets of Edinet) seem to be more traditional and tributary to the neoclassicist style.
Certain elements typical of "Turkish Empire" may be found in the decor of "Catargiu House", constructed in Chisinau in 1854 by the architect E. Gasket, which is located at the corner of the current Columna Street and Renasterii Boulevard.
"The Chesco House", located on 24 Serghei Lazo Street in Chisinau, - an edifice constructed in 1858 - is famous due to its proprietor, Zamfira Chesco, who was visited here by her nephew Natalia Chesco, a queen to come of Serbia. Elements of the eclectic pseudo-Renaissance style may be found in the decorative "citadels" and "Bramante windows", which appeared after 1888 at the villa of the Princess Ghica-Comanesti in Chisinau (100, 31 August Street) due to the reconstruction of the old neoclassicist building by A. Bernardazzi in the middle of the XIXth century.
A real pearl of the eclectic style of Basarabia may be considered the edifice of the former Manuc-Bei Hunting Castle in Hancesti, (currently, the Museum of Country Studying), constructed according to the project of A. Bernardazzi in the 80's of the XIXth century at the initiative of the Armenian magnate's son, Oganes. Elements of French Pseudo-Gothic, Mauritanian and Renaissance styles are successfully combined in the framework of this miniature. Another palace, belonging to the aforementioned Manuc-Bei (renowned under the name of the Princess Dolgorukova Palace) in Hancesti was constructed in a more sober and laconic technique. The French classicist spirit is predominant here, having been observed with more strictness than in the Hunting Castle.
Less sumptuous and closer to the architecture of peasants' houses are the mansions of Lazo family in the village of Piatra and Mansion of Donici family in the same village, both of which are located in Judets of Orhei.
The oldest living houses of the Republic of Moldova did not resist until today, due to seisms or conflagrations or even demolitions.
Among the most renowned edifices of Chisinau, which were not preserved until today, it is worth to mention the merchant Gladilin's and Tudor Crupenschi's houses that were demolished because of the reconstruction of urban center. They were situated a bit higher than the current Chisinau Almighty's Birth Cathedral is located (Columna Street, former Frunze Street). Gladilin's house represented an immobile with a parterre and a story with galleries. It was constructed according to the principles of Russian post-classicist style, introducing certain local modifications. Crupenschi's house disposed a parterre and a story, as well as a theatrical hall, where the first dramatic troupes of professional actors from Basarabia were performing.
Generally speaking, it should be noted that the principal architectural fund of Basarabian cities, constructed in the XIXth century, is represented by the dwellings with a single story. These are ribbon buildings, interrupted by the access gates in citizens' yards. The facade architecture was determined by the variants suggested in the "Exemplary facade" album, compiled by the architects from Saint Petersburg. Such facades were mandatory for the constructions located in provincial towns of the Tsarist Empire. Local architects combined these facades, applying therewith certain national elements, which were present in ornamentation, cornices, window frames and front doors of the constructed edifices. Many of the living houses in the principal cities of the provincial Basarabia were designed by famous architects, among which the decisive contribution is owed to A.I. Bernardazzi. The house of the aristocrat Alexandra Casso (located at the crossing of M. Eminescu and V. Micle Streets) - known either as Inglezi House; Ianusevici - Donici House (at the crossing of G. Banulescu-Bodoni and 31 August Streets), where the Museum of Archeology and Ethnography under the Academy of Science of Moldova is currently located, as well as Rascanu-Derojinschi Palace from the Bucuresti Street (# 62) are the most renowned edifices, which were designed in Chisinau by the famous architect. All these buildings constructed in the strongly pronounced eclectic style while decorating facades, display the artist's craftsmanship, freedom of organic synthesis of architectural forms taken over from various stylistic trends and orientations and reincorporated in new original architectonic compositions.
Appearance of certain stylistic renovations is also noticeable in the architecture of rural mansions dating back to the end of the XIXth century - beginning of the XXth century. Thus, if the mansion of Stroiescu family in the village of Branzeni (Judets of Edinet) and the mansion of the Boyar I. Bogdan in the village of Cuhurestii de Sus (Judets of Soroca) are executed in a key traditional to the XIXth century, the mansion of Leonardi-Buzni family in Ciuciulea (Judets of Balti) and mansion of the Boyar N. Ergiu, located in the village of Napadova (Judets of Soroca), bears the print of the "Art nouveau" style (famous in Russia as the "Modern style" and in Romania as the "Style of year 1990").
At the beginning of the XXth century other two renowned architects are activating in Chisinau. H. Lonschi is one of them, who designed the renowned Herta house in the Viennese Baroque style, which is located on 115 Stefan cel Mare Boulevard (where one of the buildings of the National Museum of Fine Arts is located) and which, in spite of its poor state of conservation remains to be one of the most beautiful edifices of Chisinau. The second one is the young man Alexei V. Sciusev, born in Chisinau, who launches here the creative activity by constructing the Drogoev House (located on # 97 A. Bernardazzi Street) in Oriental style as a result of impressions of "a journey spent in Samarkand". The construction of Carcevschi villa in Chisinau also belongs to Sciusev, as well as the Trinity Church in Cuhurestii de Sus (Soroca). In Drogoev House Sciusev successfully uses the decoration made of bricks covered by blue enamel and placed in friezes under the cornice.
On the verge of the XIX-XXth centuries Eclectic style continues to compete with the modern style in Chisinau architecture. Therefore, the monuments of urban architecture located on 14 Lazo Street and 110 Columna Street, (the so-called Sofia Andrianova's House) were constructed in Pseudo-Gothic and Pseudo-Renaissance styles, accordingly, by using decorative shells in facade pediments. The Cligman House (located on 113 Stefan cel Mare Boulevard), quite modest outside, became famous especially due to its sumptuous decors and excellent tile ovens, encrusted parquetry and a winter garden formed in Pseudo-Gothic style, placed in the edifice court. A special interest arouses the house, located on 111 Sciusev Street and built in a modern style, where the famous singer, Lidia Lipkovski, used to live. The living house located on 14 Lazo Street is very close to the exterior Pseudo-Gothic decoration of the house located on 15, 31 August Street. The aforementioned houses belong to a skillful hand of the same architect, who, unfortunately, wasn't identified until today.
The new immobile patrimony, including apartments for rental destination, such as the ones located on 70 Cantemir Boulevard and 139, 31 August Street in Chisinau, began to be constructed at the end of the XIXth century - beginning of the XXth century in Basarabia. These edifices were built, usually, in "Art nouveau" style, having a determined spatial structure in terms of rational use of the lot and living space. The buildings are normally placed in square shape, forming an isolated interior court. The principal facades, facing to street, are actively suggested by the chromatic reliefs and ornaments, so specific to this style. An extremely important role has the professional execution of the iron foundry of the doors, windows and grating.
One of the ultimate urban villas, constructed in Basarabia before the World War I was the one, belonging to A.T. Aleinikov, located on 4 Decebal Street in Soroca - a villa erected in 1912. Having been situated in the heart of a landscape garden on the slope of the high steep of the Dniestr coast superior terrace, the aforementioned villa (due to the specific relief) was constructed in two stores - parterre and a store, although one of the underlying architectural elements of the entire edifice remains to be the central entrance portico, supported by two cast iron columns, having a grated balcony made of the forged iron. During the Interwar period in Chisinau, Balti, Tighina and Soroca, there were constructed many individual houses, urban villas, immobile patrimony, including the apartments, constructed in a specific style, quite close to the "Art of 1900" and currently named as "Neo-Romanian" or "Modern Romanian" style. The architect Nicolae Mertz used to work in the spirit of this stylistic orientation in Chisinau. The living house located on 69 Kogalniceanu Street, which is currently the "Coral" gallery from M. Eminescu Street, belonged to the architect's hand. Certain urban villas, built by other architects and located on 69, Sfatul Tarii Street, 52 A.Bernardazzi Street, 57 Vlaicu Parcalab Street, 95, 31 August Street and 119 A.Mateevici Street are quite similar from the stylistic point of view. The volumetric compositions made in Neo-Romanian style are characteristic of all these buildings in terms of acute sense of plastic arts, highlighted by the contrast between the massive foundation and free spaces - loggias, terraces, balconies etc. Certain details of the wooden and stone columns, used for the decoration of these edifices, were borrowed from the traditional Romanian architecture, inspired from the edifices constructed within the Constantin Brancoveanu's epoch. Due to this reason the "Neo-Romanian" style is frequently called as "Pseudo-Brancovian" style.
The most impressive "Interwar style" immobile patrimony in Basarabia is the residence of the archbishop of Hotin, Visarion Puiu, erected in Balti within the period of 1924-1932, according to the project of the architects A.Gabrielescu and N.Mihailescu. The architect Eti-Roza Spirer is activating in Balti within the Interwar period. A house of connected apartments, located on 26 Hotin Street is erected in the Constructivist style, whereas the building of "Bodescu House" is rearranged, which used to be transformed in the 30's into the Mayor's Office of the city of Balti (situated in an edifice dating from the beginning of the XXth century).
The Postwar period is notable by huge dimensions of living houses built in the principal cities of the republic. In the 50's, the imposing buildings with parterres, three-four floors, loggias, polychrome mosaics, placing hundreds of dwellings, are being built in Chisinau. Typical of this architecture is the realty of 128 apartments located on 164 Stefan cel Mare Boulevard, (constructed according to the project of V.A. Voitehovschi) and the immovable property of three blocs with 4 stores located on the same boulevard (# 128 - 130), constructed in 1952, according to the project of G.Levental and T. Andreeva. The aforementioned immovable property used to occupy the urban quarter situated between two street intersections. Within the period of "Hrushev defreezing" (end of the 50's - beginning of 60's), the architects refused to use the majority of decorative elements that were embellishing the living houses. The number of apartment houses considerably increased, whereas the quality and originality of edifices became secondary. This is the period of massive "serial" constructions, built according to the standard plan approved in Moscow.
The period of the 70-80's diversified the possibilities of this "serial" architecture. Instead of using the brick and limestone there were introduced the monolith constructions built of reinforced concrete or constructions made from semi-manufactured blocs, assembled on the spot. All these phenomena diminished the acuity of housing problem in the Republic of Moldova, but greatly postponed the functionality of aesthetic dwellings and comfort specific to the edifices in the postwar period. It is only in the 90's that along with the disintegration of the Soviet Union and collapse of the Communist regime, as well as appearance of the well-off groups of population, the problem of erection of urban villas, many-stored private houses, surrounding gardens and polychrome decoration of facades became again pressing. The notion of a "palace" underwent a significant change during the Soviet period: the "palace" became, de facto, an edifice with social-cultural destination, similar to a theater, club or cinema as opposed to its original significance of a sumptuous edifice with living or administrative destination, belonging, usually, to a noble family in the 60-80's of the XXth century. Thus, the "Palaces of Culture", "Palaces of Pioneers", "Palaces of Syndicates", as well as "the National Palace", the "Republican Palace" and "Railwaymen Palace" are erected in Chisinau in the 70-80's. Still, their architecture has nothing in common with the architecture of the old palaces or mansions in Basarabia.
