Against odds, Tiraspol reaches out to tourists

Tiraspol often stages open-air concerts and special cultural events for the visitors, but tourist are still few and far between

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - Hoping to attract more tourists, the Tiraspol Chamber of Commerce is publishing a new tourist guide to the city. The booklet is issued in both Russian and English and is targeted at first-time visitors to Tiraspol, the capital of Pridnestrovie.

It contains a city map plus lots of advice for what to do, what to see, where to eat, stay, leisure- and entertainment options, shopping, and info on the environs for short day trips outside the city.

The visitors' guide is fully self-financed with ads from private companies who are sponsors. It will be distributed free of charge at all the city's hotels as well as government offices, major retail establishments and some of the leading restaurants.

Its launch will be timed with the 215th anniversary celebrations of Tiraspol which are scheduled for 14 October 2007, the Chamber of Commerce announced. The launch of the city guide also coincides with a project called "Open Pridnestrovie", which is launched by the political party Renewal, and which aims to show the openness and tolerance of today's Pridnestrovie.

The city authorities of Tiraspol often arrange open-air concerts and special cultural events for visitors, but tourist are nevertheless few and far between. Tiraspol does not have an image as a tourist destination. If anything, it is known - incorrectly, say locals - as a Stalinist stronghold despite the fact that there has been no Communist government in place in Tiraspol or Pridnestrovie as a whole for the past seventeen years, ever since independence was declared.

Tiraspol attractions

Tiraspol derives from classical Greek roots and means “the town on the Dniester”. The country´s capital dates back to the year 600 B.C. when a settlement called "Tyras" was originally founded on this location. It was part of Kievan Rus for 200 years, starting in the ninth century.

In its modern form, Tiraspol appeared on the map in 1792 during the Russian and Turkish battle near Bender Fortress. In just a few months, a fortress with 3 towers was constructed to strengthen the positions of the Russian Army lead by Alexander Suvorov, known not just as the father of Tiraspol but also as "general who never lost a battle."

Tiraspol and Pridnestrovie has traditionally been on the faultline between a clash of civilizations. The Dniester River has for ages represented a border where civilizations meet, and in 1792 it was the case of Muslim vs Christian Orthodox forces. Tiraspol, on the Christian side, was the outpost in the fault line war between the Ottoman Empire (Turkish forces) and the European civilization (represented by Imperial Russia). After the Russians consolidated its dominance over the area, the fortress was transformed into a prison (where, during the Czarist regime, many Decembrists were held). It was later destroyed. Today we can see the ruins of only one tower.

Tiraspol is a green city with a beautiful leisure zone on the banks of the Dniester. There is an old Tree Garden in the centre of the town. You can also visit The History Museum, T.G. Shevchenko University, the Drama Theater, and statues of Alexander Suvorov and the Decembrist Vladimir Raevsky. The locals are very fond of their resort area near Lake Kuchurgan.

Border corruption a problem

Putting a potential black stain on the hopes for a tourist inflow, some Western visitors have reported shakedowns and requests for bribes on Pridnestrovie's borders.

Apparently, some PMR border officials target those who are not familiar with the laws and regulations of the region and who don't speak the language, and request bribes for allowing them to enter Pridnestrovie. Since these fees are illegal, there are no established rates, but some visitors have reported sums ranging from $20 per person up to over $50.

Visitors to Pridnestrovie do not need visas, but from 1 January 2007 it has been standard practice for immigration officers on the border to request an invitation from a local citizen or company. It is in cases where no such invitation is present that some visitors have been asked to pay bribes.

PMR's parliament is aware of the problem and is considering amendments to simplify the law on border crossings. Among other things, new rules will do away with the invitation requirement altogether. Less red tape will lower the opportunities that crooked border police has for asking for bribes.

Only Western tourists seem to be targeted. Those who speak one of the local languages - Russian, Moldovan or Ukrainian - have not reported any problems with crossing the border.

See also:
» Destination: Transdnistria
» Street fairs, celebrations mark Tiraspol's 214th birthday
» Corruption at PMR border crossings hurts republic's image abroad

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