Chiţcani, Moldova

Chiţcani (Romanian; _ru. Кицканы, "Kitskany") is one of the oldest recorded villages in Moldova, its history dating back to 1367. The village's name means "shrews" in Romanian language. The Chiţcani commune consists of the village Chiţcani, and of two smaller villages, Mereneşti, and Zahorna.

It is located south of Bendery, on the opposite bank of Dniester from Tiraspol. It is one of the few locations west to Dniester (i.e., in Bessarabia) controlled by the secessionist republic of Transnistria. According to the classification by Moldova, it is located in the Căuşeni district. According to the classification of Transnistrian authorities, it is included into the Slobozia district.

The village is best known as the home of the Noul Neamţ monastery. The monastery was closed when Moldova was part of the Soviet Union, and was at times used as a hospital, storehouse and museum. [ [http://www.allmoldova.com/index.php?action=viewdoc&id=1094458394&lng=eng All Moldova: Kitskani Monastery] ] [ [http://visitpmr.com/kitskani.html VisitPMR.com: Kitskani Monastery] ]

Transnistrian conflict

According to the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Moldova, the village was the scene of Transnistrian human rights abuses, with an alleged 20 killings between 1996 and 2000. Moldova declares that it has no access, and Transnistria apparently has not investigated. [ [http://www.humanrights.md/eng/publ/art/Interview%20Suiedia%20Angstrom%20Transnistria.htm Interview on Transnistria with Stefan Uritu, reporter Mrs Sara Еngstrum, Sweden Angstorm] ] . [ [http://www.adevarulonline.ro/2006-12-16/Special/romanii-din-transnistria-uitati-si-de-chisinau-si-de-bucuresti_210736.html article in "Adevărul" (Romanian)] ]

References