The Chișinău Diocesan Girls' School opened its doors on May 3, 1864, addressing a pressing need: in Bessarabia there were no institutions dedicated to the education of clergy's daughters. According to the 1864 circular, teaching was conducted in the Romanian language, a provision applied throughout the diocese. The school's first headmistress was Anastasia Rizo, of noble origin, invited by Archbishop Antonie.
The curriculum, approved by the Ministry of Public Education and the Chișinău Diocese, combined theoretical subjects with practical training. Students studied religion, reading and writing in Romanian, Slavonic, and Russian, arithmetic and exercises in calculation, world history and geography. The program was complemented by church singing and practical skills such as sewing, embroidery, knitting, as well as household management - baking bread and prosphora, preparing meals and preserves, caring for livestock, and cultivating gardens.
The composite, taken in 1911 at the studio of Z. N. Sumovski in Chișinău, depicts 29 graduates and 13 teachers. At the center are portraits of Bishop Serafim (Ciciagov), headmistress N. R. Mihelson, teacher V. E. Bejerian, and priests F. Ghiliarov and P. Jurikas. Among the teaching staff was Paraskovia Vasilievna Cuciurenko, a calligraphy teacher for 37 years, who in 1911 became senior educator and assistant headmistress. For her dedication, she was awarded the gold medal "For Long Service."
On the reverse of the vignette is a label from the store and workshop of frames, paintings, mirrors, and window glass owned by A. D. Kon'gova, Chișinău, Gogol Street no. 37, near the State Bank.
This graduation composite was donated at the end of 2025 to the National Museum of History of Moldova by the Dadiștian family from Drochia.
Memorial house "Alexei Şciusev" represents a heritage object located in the historic part of Chișinău. Here, on October 8, 1873, was born and raised the future to become architect, art historian and theorist, academician Alexei Şciusev.
The architect's parents - Victor and Maria Şciusev - built the property in the 50ies of the 19th century, offering their five children a happy family home and distinguished education. Alexei Şciusev lived in this house until 1897. The house remained in the family until 1928, when it was inherited by Sergei Şciusev, the elder brother of the architect.
On 18 September 1947 in this building was inaugurated the first museum of architecture from the republic, which was later reorganized into the Museum house "Alexei Şciusev." The exhibition showing the life and work of the famous architect was opened on October 15, 1973 and was concentrated in two rooms of the building.
The memorial house becomes from 1990 (by Order of the Ministry of Culture no. 411 of December 28, 1989) a branch of the National Museum of History of Moldova.
From November 2013 to May 2014 the memorial house "Alexei Şciusev" has been totally renovated inside and outside.
The permanent exhibition was conceptually reorganized in 2014; its chronologic and thematic framework was expanded. The memorial exhibition is divided into four sections: "Şciusev family salon", "Living room", "Children's Room" and "Cabinet of architect Alexei Şciusev". The exhibition preserves the vintage ambience, reconstructs the family atmosphere in which Alexei Şciusev, this outstanding personality of national and universal culture, grew up and worked.
Opening Hours
Tuesday - Friday, Sunday 9am – 4pm. Admission to the Museum is stopped 20 minutes before closing.
Closed: On Mondays and Saturdays, 1, 7, and 8 January, 8 March, first and second day of Easter, Memorial Easter, 1 and 9 May, 27 and 31 August, 25 December.
Admission Fees
Adults - 50 MDL Pensioners, Students - 20 MDL School students - 10 MDL
Free admission:
Preschool children (up to the age of 7), children from residential institutions, children with disabilities (up to the age of 18) and their companion, military personnel, official delegations and delegations of a cultural nature (within the limits of the museum's operating hours), employees of the national museum network, the Ministry of Culture and national institutions in the field of cultural heritage, holders of ICOM and ICOMOS cards, war veterans (pursuant to Law no. 317/2024), for the participants in the liquidation of the consequences of the damage at the Chernobyl C.A.E.
Free admission for all visitors: the last Thursday of every month
The Chișinău Diocesan Girls' School opened its doors on May 3, 1864, addressing a pressing need: in Bessarabia there were no institutions dedicated to the education of clergy's daughters...
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
