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Alley of Classics

Alley of Classics is a sculptural complex in Ștefan cel Mare Park in Chișinău. It consists of bronze busts of Moldovan writers, public and political figures, and cultural leaders arranged along both sides of the alley on pedestals made of polished red granite. The alley was built in 1958 and has since become a favorite place for rest and walks for residents and visitors of the capital. It originally included 12 busts, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union it was expanded with busts of Moldovan cultural figures whose work had been undesired in the Soviet period, as well as sculptures of Romanian poets and writers.

Tudor Arghezi bust on a red granite pedestal in the Alley of Classics
The Tudor Arghezi bust stands on a polished red granite pedestal in Chişinău’s Alley of Classics.
2006 © · Public domain
Bronze bust of Grigore Vieru on a granite pedestal in a tree-lined park.
The bronze bust of Grigore Vieru stands on a granite pedestal in a park setting.
August 2018 © Robo71 · CC0
Alley of Classics lined with leafless trees, park benches, and sculptures on pedestals along a paved walkway.
The Alley of Classics in Chișinău, with sculptures on pedestals lining a tree-lined autumn walkway.
November 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Alley of Classics lined with bust pedestals along a tree-shaded park walkway.
The Alley of Classics in Chișinău, with busts lining a long, tree-shaded promenade.
April 2008 © · CC BY 2.0
A tree-lined park path with people walking past an outdoor photo exhibition displayed between the trees.
A sunny day in Chișinău’s park path, where an outdoor photo exhibition is displayed among the trees.
May 2017 © · CC0

Identification

TitleAlley of Classics
Original nameАлея Класиків; Aleja Klasyków
Original-language nameAleea Clasicilor
TypeSculptural complex / alley of busts

Location and ownership

LocationȘtefan cel Mare Central Park (Stephen the Great Park, former A. S. Pușkin Park), Chișinău, Moldova
Part ofStefan cel Mare Park
Situated betweenȘtefan cel Mare Boulevard and the bronze bust of Alexander Pushkin

Physical characteristics

DescriptionAn alley with busts installed on both sides of the path; the busts depict Moldovan writers, socio-political figures, cultural figures, literary figures, political leaders, poets, and historians
Number of sculptures29 as of early May 2018; initially 12
Main elementsBronze busts on red polished granite pedestals

Materials

MaterialsBronze and red polished granite

Historical context

Year built1958
Unveiled onApril 29, 1958
Historical context of unveilingUnveiled during the Khrushchev Thaw

Creator

Concept originated byAlexandru Plămădeală
Model for the complexThe sculptural complex in Cișmigiu Gardens, Bucharest

Appearance

Plămădeală's visionAn open-air museum

Discovery and provenance

Associated bust nearbyBronze bust of Alexander Pushkin on a granite column, made by Russian sculptor Alexander Opekushin in 1885

History and restoration

Post-Soviet additionsAfter the fall of the Soviet Union, busts of Romanian and Moldovan writers and poets, and other Moldovan cultural figures whose work had been banned or not welcomed during the Soviet period, were added

Significance

FunctionA favorite place of rest and leisure for residents and visitors of the capital
SignificanceOne of the most important tourist attractions in Chișinău