The cities of Transnistria: Tiraspol, Bendery, Rybnitsa. The Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublika

In today's world, there are not so few unrecognized or partially recognized states. Transdniestria is one of them. This is a tiny country with an uncertain status, located in the south-eastern part of Europe. This article will help you to find out which cities belong to Transnistria, and also will tell about them a lot of interesting information.

Transnistria: a short essay on the unrecognized state

Transnistria (officially the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublika, abbreviated as PMR) is a narrow strip of land between the Dniester and the territory of Ukraine. De jure these territories belong to Moldova. De facto, there is a self-governing republic, which was not recognized by the world community, which proclaimed its independence in 1990. Today the situation with the Transnistrian region is classified in the European politics as a "frozen conflict".

The area of modern Transnistria is tiny even in comparison with miniature Moldova (just over 4000 sq. Km). About 500 thousand people live in the republic (of which about 70% are in the cities). In the ethnic structure of the population, three people predominate: Moldovans, Ukrainians and Russians.

As a legacy of the Soviet economy, the PMR received a number of large industrial enterprises. Among them - Moldovan state district power station, metallurgical and textile factories, cognac factory. The large cities of Transnistria actively trade with the European Union. True, all products produced in the republic are marked with the sign Made in Moldova.

In conclusion of our short story about Transnistria, several interesting facts about this territorial formation:

• Transnistria is the only country in the world, the flag and coat of arms of which depict the main Soviet attributes (sickle, hammer and five-pointed star);
• In Transnistria there are embassies of two other unrecognized states - Abkhazia and South Ossetia;
• The cities of Transnistria are characterized by neatness, well-being and cleanliness, which is often compared with the Belarusian one;
• In the Transnistrian city of Bender, Ivan Mazepa died , here in 1710 another Ukrainian hetman, Philippe Orlik, presented the first constitution in Europe to the public;
• The two largest cities of the republic (Bendery and Tiraspol) connect one of the few in Europe long-distance trolleybus branches with a length of 13 kilometers;
• In Transnistria there are offices of the political party "United Russia";
• The Transnistrian ruble in 2012-2015 was recognized as the strongest currency in the post-Soviet space.

The history of one war

The disintegration of the Soviet Union activated separatist movements and with a new force ignited a whole series of conflicts in different parts of the vast empire. One of these hot spots was the left bank of the Dniester.

In the early 1990s, the conflict between the newly-minted Moldovan authorities and the Transnistrian nomenclature elite became much more acute. The Transdniestrians did not want to be part of Moldova, being afraid of rapprochement with Romania.

The conflict passed into the phase of open military confrontation in the spring of 1992. In March, Moldova decided to reinstate its power over the rebellious left bank of the Dniester. However, part of the 14th Russian Army, as well as guardsmen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, spoke on the side of the Transnistrians. Therefore, it was not possible to establish control over Transnistria to the Moldovans, and the Dniester River very quickly turned into a front line.

The culmination of this war was the battle for the city of Bendery. In July 1992, armed detachments of Transnistrians, supported by Russian tanks, crossed the Dniester and established themselves in Bendery. A real slaughter began on the streets of the city, killing 600 people. After this battle, the parties began to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict and, finally, signed a peace agreement in Moscow.

In total, about 1200 people died in the Transnistrian conflict.

Cities of Transnistria

Administrative territory of the PMR is divided into 5 districts. Within the unrecognized state there are 8 cities (they are listed from north to south):

• Wheatear;
• Rybnitsa;
• Dubossary;
• Grigoriopol;
• The capital city of Tiraspol;
• Bender;
• Slobodzeya;
• Border town of Dnestrovsk.

Transdniestria also has a number of disputed territories and territories with a dual status. To these can be attributed several villages (Koshnitsa, Pyritsa, Dorotskoe, etc.), the Varnitsa micro district in Bendery and the village of Korzhevo in Dubossary.

Almost the capital city of Tiraspol

Transnistria, like any other country in the world, has its capital. This is the city of Tiraspol. Although a person from the post-Soviet space is very difficult to imagine a capital with a population of 130 thousand people. Nevertheless, "metropolitan" is felt here. Quiet, provincial streets of Tiraspol are distinguished by some solidity, and in massive public buildings one can feel the "spirit of power", though not recognized by anyone.

In Tiraspol there is a government and a PMR parliament. In addition, the city is an important historical and cultural center not only of Transnistria, but of all Moldova.

From the Greek language the name Tiraspol is translated very simply and clearly - "the city on the Dniester." It really is located on the left bank of the largest East European river, just six kilometers from the border with Ukraine. The city was founded in 1792. It was at this time, on the orders of Suvorov, the construction of the fortress began here. In 1806, Tiraspol became a district center as part of the Kherson province, and between the two world wars managed to visit the center of the Moldavian ASSR.

Modern Tiraspol is quite pleasant. Its center pleases with cleanliness, neatness, wide sidewalks, neat flower beds and a large number of rare (Soviet) artifacts.

Tourist attractions in the capital city of the PMR are few. These include the old fortress (the end of the XVIII century), the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ (2000), the chic and pompous House of Soviets, built in the 50's. In addition, tourists in Tiraspol like to visit the modern sports complex "Sheriff", which occupies a huge area of 65 hectares.

Bender is the most tourist city in Transnistria

Very few cities of Transnistria can boast of constant visits to tourists from near and far abroad. Bender is one of those. If the travelers decide to go to the DMR, then they come to this city necessarily.

The city of Bendery is the second largest and the largest in the republic. And the first in terms of the number of historical and architectural monuments. In the center of the city there are many beautiful buildings of the XIX-XX century. But the main tourist attraction in Bender is the ancient and well-preserved Turkish fortress. By the way, part of the citadel is still occupied by the active military unit.

Along with traditional architectural monuments in Bendery, there are quite a few "monuments" of the 1992 war. For example, the walls of the city mayor's office, damaged by shell fragments, were decided not to be restored. Traces of the war can still be seen today on its facades.

Rybnitsa - industrial center of Transnistria

In the north of the unrecognized country, surrounded by the picturesque hills of the Podolsky Upland, is the city of Rybnitsa. Transdniestria with its powerful industrial complex is largely obliged to this city. Rybnitsa provides about half of the revenues to the PMR budget, as well as about 60% of the republic's exports. More than 400 different enterprises function here.

From the point of view of tourism, the city is not very noticeable. Of the local attractions - a large Victory Memorial, the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael (the largest in the DMR), as well as a magnificent (for historical value) cemetery. Another highlight of Ribnita can be called an abandoned cable car (industrial destination), effectively hovering over the Dniester.

Kamenka is a resort pearl of Transnistria

If the title of a tourist mecca of the republic is rightfully owned by the Bender, then the "recreational capital" of the unrecognized state can safely call the city of Kamenka. Transdniestria can really boast a fairly good resort, which is known since the 1870s. The town of Kamenka is located in the extreme north of the TMR, at the confluence of the river of the same name in the Dniester. Here, unique natural and climatic conditions were formed: a rocky, practically mountain range reliably protects the city from cold winds, providing the Transnistrian resort with a long summer and a fairly mild winter.

In Kamenka there are only 9 thousand people. The foundation of the local economy is the rural and spa facilities. The most famous sanatorium "Dniester" operates in the city, designed for simultaneous recovery of 450 people. And Kamenka is famous for its fragrant and very tasty grapes and, accordingly, excellent wine.

Dnestrovsk is the energy heart of the republic

The city of Dnestrovsk is located in the extreme south of the TMR, in close proximity to the Ukrainian border. It is here that the largest power station in the republic is located. Electricity produced here is even exported (to Moldova and Ukraine).

The will of the case Moldavskaya GRES in 1964 was built exactly on the left bank of the river. If this did not happen, the economic independence of the unrecognized republic would now be a big question. Today about 10 thousand people live in the city. Most of the population of Dniester is working at a local power station.