This collectible 1974 Soviet postcard presents a panoramic view of the central thoroughfare of Chișinău — Lenin Avenue (now Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard).
What is shown on the postcard
The image captures the perspective of the avenue with road markings and traffic flow, including Soviet-made trolleybuses (specifically the ZiU-5 model) and passenger cars such as the Volga. On the left side of the frame, the dome of the Organ Hall (formerly the City Bank) with its sculpture of Mercury and the clock tower of the Chișinău City Hall are clearly visible. The right side of the street is occupied by multi-story residential and administrative buildings of the Stalinist era with decorative elements. Lush trees line the sidewalks, and pedestrians are visible.
Historical note
The avenue, serving as the main urban planning axis of Chișinău, was laid out in the early 19th century. During the Soviet period, it was named after V.I. Lenin and underwent reconstruction: the roadway was widened, new administrative buildings were constructed, and trolleybus service was introduced. The City Bank building (now the Organ Hall) was erected in the early 20th century, designed by engineer Mikhail Karchevsky, while the City Hall was designed by Alexander Bernardazzi in the late 19th century.
Present day
Today, the avenue is named after Prince Ștefan cel Mare. It remains the main administrative and public artery of Chișinău. The City Hall and Organ Hall buildings are listed as architectural monuments of national significance and have been restored. Traffic management has been modernized, and the old Soviet public transport has been completely replaced by modern trolleybuses and buses.
Location (map)
Address: Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard, Chișinău, Moldova
Coordinates: 47.022216, 28.835314
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Mapping data of the Organ Hall and Chișinău City Hall locations.
Questions and answers
- Which historic building is visible on the left side of the postcard? On the left side, the dome of the Organ Hall (formerly the City Bank) and the clock tower of the Chișinău City Hall are visible.
- What type of transport is captured on the avenue? The avenue features Soviet passenger cars like the Volga and trolleybuses, including the ZiU-5 model.
- What is the current name of Lenin Avenue? The avenue is currently named Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard (bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt).
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Chișinău from 1974.
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