Restoration of the Manuc Bey Complex

The Manuc Bey Historical and Architectural Complex in the municipality of Hîncești is one of the best-known heritage sites in central Moldova and one of the most visible examples of European investment in the preservation and promotion of the region’s cultural heritage. Located approximately 36 km from Chișinău, the complex dates back to the 19th century and is associated with Manuc Bey Mirzaian, a diplomat, merchant and prominent landowner of his time.

The complex comprises several historic buildings, including the Princely Palace, the Ioniță Iamandi House, the Steward’s House and the Hunting Castle, as well as other elements of the former estate. Some of the buildings have survived to this day, and their restoration has gradually brought the complex back into cultural and tourism circuits.nnThe restoration of Manuc Bey was not a single project, but a multi-stage process funded through European, national and local sources. Between 2013 and 2015, the restoration of the Princely Palace benefited from a €2.2 million grant from the European Union (EU), to which the Hîncești District Council contributed €240,000 in co-financing. Between 2014 and 2017, investments amounting to 12.2 million lei from the National Fund for Regional Development were made in the Ioniță Iamandi House and the Steward’s House. The interventions aimed not only to preserve the buildings, but also to transform the complex into a venue for museum, cultural and educational activities, as well as events. European support also helped integrate the Manuc Bey Estate into a broader tourist route and promote it alongside other cultural attractions in the region. A new phase of investment is planned for the 2021–2027 period. According to project data, the EU grant amounts to €1.7 million, while the Hîncești District Council’s co-financing amounts to €190,000.

Beyond the restoration of historic buildings, the broader aim of these investments is to make cultural heritage a resource for local development. Today, Manuc Bey is a major tourist attraction in Hîncești District and a venue with the potential to attract visitors, host events and support cultural activities.