The urban maison of the Donici family is a building located on 35 Mitropolit G. Bănulescu-Bodoni Street in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova. It is an architectural monument of national importance included in the Register of Monuments of the Republic of Moldova Protected by the State under no. 258 (Chișinău municipality). The building dates back to the 1850s–1860s.Istoric24 (talk) 10:06, 11 December 2024 (UTC)1

History

The first documented mention of the urban maison dates back to 1863 when it was owned by Aristotel Londis, a college secretary. In 1867, the property was purchased by Iulia Vichentievna Ianushevski, the wife of a retired lieutenant.

In 1869, she built a house with a basement, designed by architect Alexandru Osipovici Bernardazzi. At the beginning of 1870, the building was sold to Elena St. Casso, who later became the wife of Gheorghii Nic. Donici, an state counselor. The Donici family owned the house until 1897.

A notable event in the building's history occurred in 1878, after the Russo-Turkish War, when Osman Pasha, the commander of the Ottoman army who surrendered at Plevna, was held prisoner in the basement of the manor for ten days. During the 1880s, the building was expanded.

By 1897, the house had 12 rooms with annexes. In 1901, the property was owned by Mihail Katakazi, a deputy of the Bessarabian Nobility Assembly, and in 1916, it came into the possession of the Anghel family.

During the interwar period, the building functioned as the headquarters of the National Bank. In the 1980s, it was expanded again. At one point, the house at the intersection of Bodoni and 31 August streets hosted a wax figure exhibition. Recently, it served as the headquarters of the Cultural Heritage Institute of the Academy of Sciences.Istoric24 (talk) 10:06, 11 December 2024 (UTC)2

Description

The building is constructed on an angular plan, with a raised ground floor resting on a basement. The facades align with the street lines, featuring a smooth plaster finish contrasting with the stone-clad basement.

The main facade, facing 31 August 1989 Street, presents an asymmetrical composition structured in six axes: five for windows and one for the main entrance, positioned laterally. The entrance is accentuated by a risalit with a triangular pediment and a portico resembling an oriental portal, adorned with arched elements at its center. The windows, also arched, are framed with twisted rope-like moldings supported by small brackets. The cornice frieze includes triple windows for attic ventilation, a detail that adds charm to the building. The manor’s gate also features original wrought-iron grilles.

The side facade, originally symmetrical, is marked by a central risalit decorated with corner patterns. Decorative elements include groups of arched windows framed with voussoirs. The later extension is separated from the original section by an arcade with a central window and two lateral niches, flanked by Doric columns. This extension respects the original style, maintaining aesthetic harmony.

The manor stands out for its Beaux-Arts and historic eclectic style, with Neo-Baroque influences and classical details. Decorations include “diamond” rustication on the lower part, prominent cornices supported by brackets, and varied window framings. In the basement, ventilation openings are framed with grids and highlighted against the rustic texture, a refined detail emphasizing the building’s unique character.

Restoration

The Donici family’s urban manor is set to be restored with financial support from Romania, based on the agreement between the governments of Chișinău and Bucharest for the implementation of the Technical and Financial Assistance Program, valued at €100 million, provided by Romania to the Republic of Moldova. The decision of the Romanian Government was welcomed by Chișinău's Minister of Culture, Sergiu Prodan, who emphasized the importance of this project for the capital's cultural heritage.

„Registrul Monumentelor Republicii Moldova”. Guvernul Republicii Moldova. Portalul Guvernamental al Datelor Deschise. Arhivat din original la 12 iunie 2022. Accesat în 26 mai 2024.

Redacția. „Conacul Familiei Donici – monument de arhitectură și istorie de importanță națională din Chișinău | Ziarul Națiunea”. Accesat în 1 decembrie 2024.