The National Museum of History of Moldova came into possession of a mini-collection of illustrated postcards devoted to the visit of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie of Romania to Bessarabia in May 1920. On the pictures made in the Chișinău photo shop of I. Zemșman there are images of the representatives of royal house and events during the visit that was also reflected in the press of the time, memoirs and historical literature. The postcards depict the following scenes: the royal retinue attending a worship service at the Nativity Cathedral, the royal family during the ceremony in front of the Diocesan House, Queen Marie visiting the People’s Canteen in Chișinău, and two images of the royal retinue on the streets of Chișinău. These images encouraged us to make an overview and summary of the visit, which was a special event not only for the reason that it was made by the rulers of the Kingdom of Romania, but also because it was organized prior to the recognition of the union of Bessarabia with Romania by the major allied powers and immediately after negotiations with the Supreme Committee of the Paris Peace Conference. The royal visit to Bessarabia took place before the signing of the Treaty of October 20, 1920 where the main allied powers recognized its unification with Romania. The need for this visit to Bessarabia was undeniable, as the physical presence of the king is „an act of asserting of legitimacy and suzerainty”.

List of illustrations:

1. Advertisement of I. Zemșman’s photo shop, Chișinău, the beginning of the 20th century.
2. Royal retinue attending a worship service at the Nativity Cathedral, 1920 (Postcard, NMHM).
3. Royal family during ceremonies organized in front of the Diocesan House, 1920 (Postcard, NMHM).
4. Queen Marie visiting the People’s Canteen in Chișinău, 1920 (Postcard, NMHM).
5, 6. The king and queen on the streets of Chișinău. 1920 (Postcard, NMHM).