City Hall ready to support Arc de Triomphe rehabilitation
Municipal authorities are seeking clarifications from the Ministry of Culture about the rehabilitation of monuments in the center of Chisinau. The deputy mayors of the capital plan to formally request a list of the documents and authorizations required from the municipality for the repair of the Arc de Triomphe and other government-administered sites.
During a meeting at Chișinău City Hall on July 6, the mayor of the capital, Ion Ceban, recounted his discussion with the Minister of Culture from the previous week. He inquired about the completion timeline for the Arc de Triomphe and was informed that they had not received the necessary documentation.
“I urge you to promptly contact them to clarify what is needed—whether it's documents or delimitations. We want the Arc de Triomphe completed as they promised, by the end of the year,” Ceban stated.
The mayor also highlighted other historical areas in the center of Chișinău that are under government management and require immediate attention.
“We have initiated work on 31 August Str., particularly the section between Bănulescu-Bodoni str. and Pușkin str., but there are areas that fall under the government’s jurisdiction. We have publicly reiterated our requests to rehabilitate the infrastructure adjacent to the 'Nicolae Sulac' National Palace, the area behind the Government, and the space next to the National Library, as well as within the perimeter of the National History Museum. All these locations are under their control. If they are unable to address these issues, they should delegate responsibility to us, and we will take care of them,” said Ion Ceban.
Representatives from the Ministry of Culture did not respond to our request for comments regarding the mayor's statements.
The rehabilitation of the Arc de Triomphe in the center of Chisinau was announced at the beginning of this year, following the monument's significant degradation.
A budget of five million lei has been allocated for its restoration.
Previously, Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan expressed hope that the restoration works would be completed by the end of 2026. "I want to attempt the impossible," he stated, highlighting that administrative procedures and necessary documentation were the main obstacles to starting the project.
The Triumphal Arch was built in 1841, designed by the Odessa architect Luka Zaushkevici, and was inspired by the triumphal arches of Rome. This monument, which stands 13 meters high and is adorned in the Corinthian style, is one of the most important architectural symbols of Chisinau.
Recently, the condition of the Arc de Triomphe has deteriorated significantly. The supporting structure of the columns is damaged, and the limestone blocks have started to crumble and fall apart. A metal plaque on the monument notes that the last restoration was carried out in 1973, more than fifty years ago.
