"Ivancea village in the heart of Moldova" Ivancea by Marisha_V

Ivancha is a big village located in Orhei district 45 km north of Chisinau / Kishinev, 15 km east-south of Orhei town and on the way to wel known tourist destination Orheiul Vechi in Trebujeni / Butuceni villages.

The name of IVANCHA has a slavic origin and was given to the village by Ukranian Cossacks who founded this settlement at the beginning of the 19th century in Besarabia, the new gubernia of Russia. The legend says that the first settler was coming from the eastern steps of "Zaporojie" and seeing a very nice area surrounded by many lakes and forest has stopped his coachman Ivan and the horses by saying "Ivan - Cha" (which means Ivan stop the horses) to settle here. The place was just perfect for it being in the heart of Codry forest reservation, surrounded by plenty of lakes, many springs with drinking water and rich blacksoil fields.

Nowadays the village is inhabited in majority by ukranians, speaking an Ukranian dialect that was very much influenced by Russian and Moldovan languages.

Ivancea Lake

During the Soviet Union times there were 3 summer reasourts in Codru forest. All on the bank of a very big lake of Ivancea. Now totally demolished and abandoned. Locals and people from nearest town of Orhei come on weekends here for a swim, fishing or barbecue.

Katherine tighting tomatoes

Katherine or Katya, how we call her, is a nice Ukranian woman in her 50s who was born and lives in Ivancha. She has a big cosy house in the old part of the village that is always opened for friends and guests. Katherine grows fruits, vegetables and berries in her yard and will serve you with some if you come and stay here in Spring - Autumn. Yam-yam! Strawberries, cherries, apricots, water-melons are delicious here!!!