Rezina District

Rezina is a district (Romanian: raion) in eastern Moldova, with its administrative center in Rezina. The district is situated on the western bank of the Dniester River.

The first human settlements in the territory of the district appeared during the Neolithic period (7th–5th millennium BC). Near the villages of Solonceni, Echimăuți, and Stohnaia, traces have been found of settled communities of related tribes with shared culture. Fertile soil suitable for agriculture and cattle breeding, abundant water, and forested areas that provided shelter all favored human settlement in these locations.

The Dacians inhabited these territories from the 2nd millennium BC until the 5th century AD. In the 1st century BC, the Dacian leader Burebista united Dacian communities, forming a unified Dacian state called Dacia, which included the present territory of Rezina District.

Between the 10th and 12th centuries, a monastery was built near Țipova. Carved into a giant limestone rock, the monastery includes 18 caves connected by internal passages. It is one of the most significant cave monasteries along the banks of the Dniester River.

The district’s settlements with the earliest historical attestation are Horodiște and Peciște, documented between 1437 and 1466. The first recorded mention of Rezina as a village appears in a document dated 5 February 1495, when Prince Stephen the Great confirmed the ownership of the village to Toader Alexa Vataman, who purchased it from the descendants of the noble Negrea for 70 Tatar złoty.

From the 16th to the 18th centuries, the region saw further economic and cultural development, along with a marked increase in population. In 1812, the Treaty of Bucharest separated Bessarabia from the Principality of Moldova, ceding the former to Russia. In 1918, following the collapse of the Russian Empire, Bessarabia decided on union with Romania, and during 1918–1944, the district was part of Orhei County. Bessarabia was again annexed by the USSR following the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.

In 1991, with the proclamation of the Independence of Moldova, the area became part of the newly independent state. Between 1998 and 2003, it was included in Soroca County and since 2003, was reestablished as an administrative unit of the Republic of Moldova.

Rezina District is located in the central-eastern part of Moldova. It borders Şoldăneşti District to the north, Rîbnița District to the east, Orhei District to the south, and Teleneşti District to the west. The district lies on the Dniester Plateau and is characterized by rugged terrain and significant erosion processes. The landscape along the Dniester River is particularly picturesque.

Of particular interest are two nature reserves: Saharna (670 ha) and Țipova (430 ha). The Saharna River is renowned for its beauty, forming 22 small waterfalls, the most impressive of which is the “Gypsy Falls,” standing 4 meters high and 6 meters wide. Țipova nature reserve covers the old terraces of the Dniester River and Țipova river valleys, which flow through a gorge and form several waterfalls ranging from 10 to 16 meters in height. The district also possesses mineral resources such as gravel, sand, clay, stone, and raw materials for cement production.

The district has a warm, temperate climate influenced by the Eastern Carpathians and the Ukrainian Plain. Average annual temperatures range between 8 °C (46 °F) and 9 °C (48 °F). In winter, temperatures typically vary from −4 to −4.5 °C (25 to 24 °F), occasionally dropping as low as −25 °C (−13 °F), while summer temperatures can reach 35 to 40 °C (95 to 104 °F). In recent decades, the area's climate has become noticeably warmer compared to the previous century, reflecting broader climate changes observed across Western and Eastern Europe, driven by both natural and human factors.

The district’s fauna is typical of Central Europe and includes mammals such as fox, badger, raccoon dog, deer, wild boar, red wolf, brown rat, marten, and wildcat. Bird species found in the district include stork, egret, swan, wild duck, seagull, hawk, tits, raven, nightingale, eagle, starling, crow, and owl.

The district’s forests are composed of oak, ash, linden, maple, and black locust, among other tree species. The herbaceous vegetation on the rocky limestone slopes includes fescue, clover, knotweed, and other plants.

The district is located in the Dniester River basin, with tributaries such as the Saharna and Țipova Rivers flowing through it. The district is also home to numerous waterfalls, springs, and wells.

• Localities: 41
  • Cities: Rezina
  • Communes: 24
  • Villages: 16

According to the 2024 census, 30,243 inhabitants lived in Rezina District, a decrease compared to the previous census in 2014, when 42,486 inhabitants were registered.^[2][3]

• Christian Orthodox - 97.6%
• Baptists - 1.0%
• Other - 0.9%
• Irreligious - 0.3%
• Not stated - 0.2%

The district has 8,264 registered entities, including 7,645 individuals, comprising 578 individual enterprises and 7,067 peasant households. There are 19 entities with legal status (e.g., SRL, SA, and joint ventures). Of the total land area, 34,461 ha (55.5%) is used for agriculture.

Rezina District operates 41 educational institutions, including 38 schools: 7 high schools with 3,235 students, 5 middle schools with 2,719 pupils, 20 gymnasiums with 2,719 pupils, and 6 primary schools with 102 students. The district also has 24 preschools serving 1,474 children, one vocational school with 242 students, one auxiliary school with 164 children, one music school with 70 students, and one arts school with 68 students. Currently, 924 teachers work in the district’s educational institutions.

In recent years, Rezina District has generally leaned toward center-right parties, although the PCRM previously enjoyed strong support in the district.

The district is one of the founding members of the Euroregion Dniester.

The district has one museum, 36 public libraries, 35 cultural centers and houses of culture, and three institutions of artistic education. There are 116 artistic groups, including 19 recognized as model ensembles. Social assistance is provided through the Department of Social and Family Protection and the nursing home “Grandma's House.”

The district has one family medical center, one district hospital, one emergency care unit, five health centers, 16 family doctor offices, 11 medical points, one state pharmacy, 28 pharmaceutical kiosks, and seven private pharmacies (three in the town and four in the villages). In total, 63 physicians work in the district’s public health system.

• Alexandru Cotruță – Bessarabian politician
• Joseph Rabinowitz – lawyer, founder of the first Jewish Christian congregation in Russia
• Nicolae Checerul Cuș – politician, member of the Sfatul Țării (1917–1918)
• Nicolae Josan – Moldovan footballer

47°40′N 28°50′E / 47.667°N 28.833°E / 47.667; 28.833