Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Thanksgiving Candle

Thanksgiving Candle is a chapel and monument in the Moldovan city of Soroca. It stands in the western part of the city on a high hill with views over Soroca, the Dniester River, and neighboring Ukraine. The idea for the monument belonged to the Moldovan writer Ion Druță, who is buried next to it. Designed in the shape of a candle, it serves as a tribute to the unknown heroes who preserved Moldova’s culture, language, and history. The monument was opened on 27 March 2004 and is 29.5 meters tall.

The Thanksgiving Candle monument rises from a wooded hill under a clear blue sky.
The Thanksgiving Candle monument stands on a tree-covered hill in Soroca, Moldova.
May 2007 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Thanksgiving Candle monument standing in a green field with a cross and flame-like top.
The Thanksgiving Candle monument rises above open fields, with a cross visible on its base and a flame-like top.
© · CC BY 3.0
The Thanksgiving Candle monument illuminated at night, with a glowing magenta-purple ring at the top.
The Thanksgiving Candle monument in Soroca lit against the night sky.
August 2024 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weathered stone Thanksgiving Candle monument with a carved inscription on a tilted rectangular slab, set among rough stones and greenery.
The Thanksgiving Candle monument is shown with its carved stone inscription and rough base in a leafy setting.
September 2020 © · CC0
Panoramic view of the Dnister River with buildings along both banks and bare tree branches in the foreground.
A wide panorama over the Dnister River near the Thanksgiving Candle monument, with towns visible on both banks under an overcast sky.
December 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleThanksgiving Candle
Original nameLuminarea recunostintei
Original nameСвеча Благодарения
Typemonument / sculpture
Also calledmonumentul lui Badea Mior
Typemonument and chapel
Original nameLumânarea Recunoștinței
Original nameLumânarea Recunoştinţei
Original nameLa Vela de Acción de Gracias
Original nameСвіча Подяки

Location and ownership

Burial place of Ion DruțăBuried next to the monument
LocationSoroca, Moldova
Position in cityWestern part of the city, on a high hill
View from siteOverlooks the city, the Dniester River, and the Ukrainian village of Tsekinivka and neighboring Ukraine
Information stoneA stone near the monument gives the name of the monument and the date of foundation
AccessEntrance from the side of the road with stairs up the hill
FeaturesHas an observation platform, stairs leading up to it, a chapel inside, and a cross nearby

Creator

Initiated byIon Druță
Idea for creation attributed toIon Druță, a Moldovan writer

Historical context

Historical contextOpened 86 years after the 1918 union of Bessarabia with Romania
Opening date27 March 2004

Physical characteristics

FormDesigned in the shape of a candle
Height29.5 meters

Iconography and meaning

Dedicated toAnonymous heroes who preserved the culture, language, and history of Moldova

Significance

Depicted on postage stampYes
Stamp captionStamp of Moldova md029pds.jpg shows the Thanksgiving Candle
Visibility at nightThe candle light can be seen at night from Otaci in the north and Camenca in the south

History and restoration

Image date reference2007 (in the file name 'Luminarea recunostintei, Soroca 2007.jpg')