Triumphal arch on the Central square of Chisinau is one of the brightest ornaments of the capital of Moldova. This impressive monument is also called the Holy Gate, as the arch is located on one axis with the bell tower and the Cathedral and is actually the main gates of this majestic temple. In addition, arch has another name - "Arch of Victory", as it was originally erected in honor of the Russian victory over the Turkish army in the war of 1806-1812.

On the arc de Triomphe can be seen carved on the Moldovan and Russian languages fragments very important in the development of Chisinau documents, including the Order of liberation from German-Romanian invaders, as well as the names of soldiers of the Soviet Army who have shown heroism in the battles on the territory of Moldova during the Second world war. So the triumphal arch became a powerful symbol of the victory over fascism.

The history of the arc de Triomphe began in the first half of the NINETEENTH PT. after the Governor of Chisinau Vorontsov went to the king with a request to pay 1600 pounds of copper to cast the bells for the Cathedral city. For these needs was highlighted the most part captured during the Turkish campaign of guns that were in the fortress Izmail. To reduce costs, the bells were cast in the Ishmael. The weight of the largest of them reached 400 pounds, while the smallest is 25 pounds. When the bells arrived in Chisinau, it was discovered that the size of the largest bells were not allowed to install it neither the Cathedral nor the bell tower. In the result, the authorities decided to build the arch, which was not only a belfry for the big bell, but the main decoration of the city. The construction of the arch ended in 1839 g. The author of this project was the architect Ivan Shushkevich, but prototype was a Roman triumphal arch. The Grand opening of this magnificent facility was laid in 1840.

The triumphal arch Chisinau is square in plan the building consists of two storeys and reaching a height of 13 m. designed in ancient architectural style of the lower tier of arches has a through rectangular openings for the movement of pedestrians. The upper part of the structure ornamented with friezes separated from the lower entablature. On the second floor of the majestic arc de Triomphe is located three bells. On one side the arch is decorated with purchased in Austria large clock.

To date, the arc de Triomphe is one of the most attractive monuments in the Moldovan capital.