Tiraspol

Tiraspol is the main city of Transnistria, a strip of land along the Dniester that declared itself separate from Moldova in 1992 and has run its own administration, currency and border posts since, without recognition from any United Nations member. Visitors cross from Chișinău by regular bus in about ninety minutes and register at the entry point. The centre keeps Soviet iconography that was removed elsewhere, including a Lenin in front of the parliament and a tank on a plinth. Bender with its Ottoman fortress lies just across the river.