The park's landmark staircase features 218 steps, connecting the city center to the park's lower terrace.
The lake was created artificially in the early 1950s through a collective volunteer effort by the city's residents.
The open-air 'Green Theater' located within the park was once one of the largest outdoor performance venues in the region.
The park features a specialized area for fossil collection, as the geological layers in the surrounding hills are rich in prehistoric marine remains.
During the Soviet era, the park was officially named 'Park of Culture and Rest Komsomol Lake'.
Valea Morilor Park is a central urban landscape spanning 32 hectares, defined by its large central lake and the iconic cascade staircase. Originally constructed in 1952 as Komsomol Lake, the area features an extensive network of walking paths and a dedicated open-air summer theater. The park serves as the primary recreational hub for Chișinău, linking the upper city center to the waterfront. Extensive renovations completed in recent years restored the drainage systems, modernized the lighting, and rebuilt the landmark granite stone staircase. The park includes a sandy beach area, designated cycling lanes, and specialized zones for water-based activities. It remains the most visited green space in the capital due to its integration of historical architecture and modern urban landscaping.
The top of the central cascade staircase looking down toward the lake.
Wear footwear suitable for walking long distances, as the path around the lake perimeter covers several kilometers.
Visit during weekday mornings to experience the park when it is most quiet and best for photography.
Stay on the marked walking and cycling paths to avoid the steep, unpaved slopes surrounding the lake basin.
Avoid swimming in the lake, as water quality warnings are frequently posted by municipal health authorities.
