Welcome to Bălți — Moldova’s Northern Capital

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vindheim
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Join me on a journey through Bălți, Moldova’s second-largest city and an often-overlooked gem in the country’s north. Known as the "northern capital," Bălți is more than just an industrial and commercial hub—it’s a city with deep cultural roots and a fascinating past.
????️ Did you know? The name Bălți literally means “puddles” in Romanian, a nod to the wetlands that once surrounded the area. The city was built on higher ground above the marshes where the Răuțel creek flows into the Răut river.
???? A City with a Rich Jewish Heritage
In the interwar period, Bălți was home to the second-largest Jewish community in Bessarabia, making up 60% of the city’s population in 1930. This vibrant community left a lasting cultural mark, and the famous Yiddish song “Mein Shtetle Belz” was inspired by the Jewish town here—not the Ukrainian Belz.

???? What to See in Bălți Today
• ????️ Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre – a cultural landmark in northern Moldova
• ⛪ Saint Constantine and Elena Cathedral – a stunning neo-Byzantine church with royal and Soviet-era history
• ⛪ Saint Nicholas Church – where Orthodox tradition meets unexpected Western design touches
Whether you're into history, architecture, or simply curious about Moldova beyond Chișinău, this video will give you a closer look at Bălți’s unique story and charm.

???? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more deep dives into Moldova’s hidden cities!

#Balti #Moldova #TravelMoldova #HiddenGems #JewishHistory #EasternEuropeTravel #Romania #Bessarabia #YiddishCulture #MoldovaTravelVlog

Timestamps
00:12 About Bălți
00:41 Bălți and the Jews
01:08 The famous Yiddish song
01:20 The city centre
01:32 Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre
01:36 Saint Constantine and Elena Cathedral
02:01 Saint Nicholas Church

References
"The Story of the Jewish Community of Bălţi, Romania (Today Moldova)- Introduction". www.yadvashem.org. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

This version of the famous Yiddish song “Mein Shtetle Belz” is sung by Talila and the Ensemble de Kol Aviv UCD-ye09mVkV346wr3w8YMrg
Chants Yddish ℗ 1988, Arion Released on: 2010-01-01 Composer: Jacobs Composer: A. Olshanetzky Composer: Ezra Bouskela Lyricist: Jacobs Lyricist: A. Olshanetzky Lyricist: Ezra Bouskela
https://youtu.be/agGml4c6Lq8?si=HOjTcpXhvaklsb1J
Category
Moldova
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