It has been a while since I took you on a street art walk, so this is the week to put that right. Come stroll with me, artistically.
Our location this week is an old sports stadium in Chisinau. This sizeable arena, the Republican Stadium, was built in 1952 and held up to 8,084 people. It was host to the local football teams, Zimbru Chisinau and Dacia Chisinau, and also to the national Moldovan football team. It witnessed 17 finals of the Moldovan Cup and two finals of the Football Federation Cup of the USSR.
Sadly, time, expense and regulations took their toll, it seems. No longer meeting the criteria of FIFA and UEFA, it closed in 2006 with ambitious plans declared to build a new stadium. The old buildings and seating were demolished in 2007, and many development plans were declared, including a possible hotel and embassy on the site. But the plot is still empty, vegetation is taking over, and the surrounding walls are tumbling.
Some of the intricate details on the columns are still visible, and the five-pointed Soviet star pops up in many places.
Development plans have now gone quiet but, in recent years, some local artists have done their bit to cheer up the outside walls. Many of the murals depict Moldovan traditions, costumes, symbols and the beautiful natural scenery of this country.
These dancers in traditional costume are the work of Cristiana Grati. It seems quite a break from her usual work, as she does design work for the game industry.
Click on gallery below to see larger
We’ll end the mural stroll with a look at Moldova’s main export product, wine:
At our final corner of the stadium there is a restaurant set in a courtyard. It is one of a chain of steakhouses. I didn’t try one so can’t comment on quality, but I liked the car in the car park.
And this is where we’ll finish our arty saunter. From here it’s about a 15 minute walk into the centre of town. Let’s head for one of the coffee booths in the cathedral park, and put our feet up.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 2 September 2019
Posted as part of Jo’s Monday Walks and Monday Mural
Travel with Intent 
You do get to some amazing places Debbie! Thank you for the tour.
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I had a great long weekend there with my daughter 🙂
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What a pity such a magnificent building is falling apart.
Love all those murals, what an incredible variety Debbie! Thanks for participating 🙂
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The first sure speaks to me… I need to do. And the bike is wonderful, too – as all!
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It’s always sad to see beautiful monuments and stadiums deteriorate so quickly. Even the entrance railings are rusty. However, at least a few muralists have found a great place to share their art and honor the original greatness of this stadium. Fabulous photos, Debbie.
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Quelle incroyable série de peintures murales toutes plus spectaculaires les une que les autres. Etonnant !!!
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Oui, quelque chose que je ne m’attendais pas!
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Thanks for the stroll Debbie 🙂 Some good street art and I love the car
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I walked past that spot at leastwise a day during my stay and it never moved – it just sat and gleamed.
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Do you have a tow truck, then I have the car for you. Push it home today 😀 😀
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Beautiful tour, thank you for sharing!
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It’s a not-so-ancient ruin and such delightful murals!
janet
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You’re spot on. The style plus its condition makes me think of it as more ancient. In fact it is only a little older than me. That has brightened my day – I now feel young and unwrinkled!
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😉
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The street art is beautiful, Debs! You must have put this over at Sami’s? I rather like those pink faces. Looks like a good conversation to eavesdrop 🙂 🙂 Thanks again!
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It is so sad that such beautiful places are left abandoned. In Ljubljana we also have a stadium that is just fading away, and it is a part of our cultural history, because the architect was one of the most celebrated Slovenian architects.
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Yes, it is a shame.Hard to pull back once it has crumbled too much.
Moldova has had its economic and political problems and I’m assuming that this has contributed to the loss of the stadium.
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Yes, Sue will like the crumble and the street art
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A touch of exotic decrepitude, should keep Sue happy. Thanks a lot, Debs. Out and about so I’ll have a closer look later. 😎💕
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Well, those artists have been busy! And love that car, white wall tyres and all- very 1950s! I couldn’t see what make it is, because of image resolution, but I’m sure you can tell me….
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It’s a Volga Gaz. An M21 I think. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GAZ-21
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Volga…yes, of course!
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