Orhei | |
|---|---|
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 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Orhei Location within Moldova | |
| Coordinates:47°23′N28°49′E / 47.383°N 28.817°E /47.383; 28.817 | |
| Country | Moldova |
| County | Orhei District |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Tatiana Cociu (FASM) |
| Area | |
• Total | 8.5 km2 (3.3 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Total | 22,183 |
| • Density | 2,600/km2 (6,800/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 3505 |
| Website | Official website |
Orhei (Romanian pronunciation:[orˈhej]) is a city, municipality[2] and the administrative centre[3] ofOrhei District in theRepublic of Moldova, with a population of 22,183. It lies roughly 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of the capital,Chișinău.
Orhei is believed to derive its name from theHungarian word Őrhely, meaning “guard post” or “lookout post,” and could be linked to a Hungarian army outpost guarding thegyepű.[4][5] Locally, orhei was understood to mean “strengthened hill,” “fortress,” or “deserted courtyard.”[6] The town historically served as an important defensive outpost on Moldavia’s eastern border.
In the 14th century, theCrimean Tatars established a settlement atOrheiul Vechi (Old Orhei), constructing baths, mosques, and other buildings, leaving a lasting cultural influence. By the early 15th century, the area was incorporated into theMoldavian principality, and Orhei gradually shifted to its present location, with the first documented mention in 1554 during the reign ofAlexandru Lăpușneanu.[7]
After centuries under Moldavian rule, Orhei was ceded to theRussian Empire in 1812 following theRusso-Turkish wars. Like the rest ofBessarabia, it became part of theKingdom of Romania afterWorld War I, was annexed by theSoviet Union in 1940, briefly recaptured by Romania in 1941, and re-occupied by the USSR in 1944 during theUman–Botoșani offensive. AfterWorld War II, the town was rebuilt, and in 1991 it became part of the Republic of Moldova.
Before 2003, Orhei served as the capital ofOrhei County, a large administrative region, until the country was reorganized into smallerraions (districts).
TheSt. Dumitru Church, constructed byVasile Lupu, is located in the town. Lupu, who ruled from 1634 to 1653, is credited with ushering in the town's so-called golden age, and a statue in the central square honors his legacy.
Orhei has gained national and international attention as a political stronghold of fugitive Moldovan oligarchIlan Shor. Since his election as mayor in 2015, Shor built a network of local support that has enabled his influence to endure even after he fled the country amid criminal investigations. His preferred candidates, such as Pavel Verejanu in the 2019 mayoral election,[8] have continued to secure dominant victories in the city, often with overwhelming majorities.
According to the2024 census, 22,183 inhabitants lived in Orhei (making it the ninth largest city in Moldova), an increase compared to the previous census in 2014, when 21,065 inhabitants were registered.[9][10]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1897 | 12,336 | — |
| 1930 | 15,279 | +23.9% |
| 1959 | 14,131 | −7.5% |
| 1970 | 25,707 | +81.9% |
| 1979 | 30,260 | +17.7% |
| 1989 | 38,038 | +25.7% |
| 2004 | 25,641 | −32.6% |
| 2014 | 21,065 | −17.8% |
| 2024 | 22,183 | +5.3% |
At the onset of theGreat War, Orhei's population was estimated at 25,000. About two-thirds of the inhabitants wereJewish, while the remainder consisted primarily of Romanians, with smaller groups of Ruthenians, Russians, and others.[13]
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Orhei was home to many Jews prior to World War II, and has a large Jewish cemetery. Currently, only one synagogue remains active in the community. The primary churches are theRomanian Orthodox Church and theRussian Orthodox Church. The area is also home to congregations of Baptists, Roman Catholics,Seventh-day Adventist Church,the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,the Salvation Army, andJehovah's Witnesses.
Orhei was the first place in what was then known as Bessarabia, to have a successfultobacco industry. The area is also known forwine production.[13]
FC Milsami Orhei is based in the city. The team won theMoldovan National Division in 2015 and 2025.
Orhei has two local radio stations:Radio Orhei (101.6 FM) founded in 2005, contains news from region and republic.[14] In 2018, its name was cloned by a broadcaster affiliated to theȘor Party – Radio Orhei FM (97.5 FM).[15][16] Radio Orhei FM broadcasts news from the Orhei region, Moldova national news, international news, and Russian, Moldovan, and Romanian music.[17] There is also an Orhei City Hall site.[18]
Orhei istwinned with:
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1 InTransnistria.2 Controlled by the Transnistrian authorities.3 Also a municipality.4 The seat ofDubăsari District is the commune ofCocieri (not a city). | ||
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