Moldova is a small landlocked country located between Romania and Ukraine. Formerly part of Romania, it gained independence when the Soviet Union fell in 1991. Moldova has an agricultural economy and is known for its wines. Its culture reflects diverse influences from Romania, Russia, and beyond. Let’s explore this fascinating country through 53 riddles!
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m a small landlocked country located between Romania and Ukraine. I’m shaped like a bunch of grapes. What country am I?
Answer: Moldova
Riddle 2
Two of my rivers form part of my border with Ukraine. One starts with a “D” and the other starts with a “P.” What rivers are they?
Answer: The Dniester and Prut Rivers
Riddle 3
I have a breakaway territory, internationally recognized as part of Moldova, that borders me to the east. What territory is it?
Answer: Transnistria
Riddle 4
My capital city starts with the letter “C.” It has a very long name, but people often shorten it. What is the capital of Moldova?
Answer: Chișinău (also known as Kishinev)
History Riddles
Riddle 5
I used to be part of Moldavia, a principality that existed from the 14th to 19th century. I united with Wallachia in 1859 and became part of Romania after World War I. What modern country am I?
Answer: Moldova
Riddle 6
I was one of the republics that made up this large Eastern European country before its dissolution in 1991. Since then, I have been an independent nation. What country was I previously part of?
Answer: The Soviet Union
Riddle 7
In 1812, a treaty between the Ottoman and Russian empires made me a protectorate of Russia. What country’s history am I describing?
Answer: Moldova
Riddle 8
For most of history, my land was split between the Principality of Moldavia and various nomadic tribes. It wasn’t until the 19th century under the Russian Empire that my current boundaries took shape. What modern country am I?
Answer: Moldova
Culture Riddles
Riddle 9
One of my languages is very similar to Romanian, but was written in Cyrillic for most of the 20th century. What is this language called?
Answer: Moldovan
Riddle 10
One of my traditional folk string instruments has three melodic strings and around a dozen sympathetic strings. It is related to better-known instruments like the cimbalom. What unique instrument is played in Moldova?
Answer: The ţambal
Riddle 11
I’m a traditional Christmas star made from wire and paper that people in Moldova display over the holidays. What am I called?
Answer: A Steaua
Riddle 12
Many of my traditional recipes feature stuffed cabbage leaves, bell peppers, grape leaves, or meat in aspic. This type of cuisine I’m describing is associated with what country?
Answer: Moldova
Economy Riddles
Riddle 13
I’m a narrow gauge railway built in the 1800s to transport wines and other goods. Still functioning today as a tourism railway, what railway am I describing?
Answer: The Moldovan Mocănița
Riddle 14
We produce over 148,000 tons of this crop per year, making it our second most produced crop after corn. Known as the “green gold” of Moldova, what crop are we describing?
Answer: Sunflowers
Riddle 15
I’m a grape variety used to make crisp, fruity white wines in Moldova. You might see me on labels from wineries like Cricova or Mileștii Mici. What grape variety am I?
Answer: Fetească Albă
Riddle 16
Known as “the land of ___________” I have the highest density of ___________ per capita in the world. I opened the world’s biggest wine cellar in Europe in 1971. What industry is Moldova famous for?
Answer: Wine/vineyards
Government Riddles
Riddle 17
I used to be a republic of the USSR from 1940 to 1991 when Moldova declared independence from Soviet rule. What was my status as part of the Soviet Union called?
Answer: The Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (MSSR)
Riddle 18
The president is the head of my state, while the prime minister is the head of government. My current president is Maia Sandu, but who is my current Prime Minister?
Answer: Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița
Riddle 19
I have a dispute with the breakaway territory of Transnistria, which declared independence back in 1990 with support from Russia but is not recognized by the UN. What country am I?
Answer: Moldova
Riddle 20
I planned to sign an association agreement with the EU in 2013, leading Russia to place trade restrictions on my agricultural imports. What is the name of the country facing this conflict?
Answer: Moldova
Art & Literature Riddles
Riddle 21
I wrote patriotic poetry and collected Moldovan folklore in the early 19th century. My poems “Către români” and Moldova’s national anthem share the same name. Who am I?
Answer: Alexei Mateevici
Riddle 22
I wrote the novel “A Death for Flying”, dealing with themes of poverty and corruption in 1930s Bessarabia. I also co-founded the Writers’ Union of Moldova. Who is this famous Moldovan writer?
Answer: Emilian Bucov
Riddle 23
We are a Moldovan pop-folk band that often incorporates traditional instruments like nai and caval into our fast-paced dance songs. Our biggest hit is “Dragostea Din Tei.” Who are we?
Answer: O-Zone
Riddle 24
I’m a folk dance from Moldova traditionally performed at weddings and holidays. Dancers form a closed circle to perform synchronized moves like grape picking, shoulder tapping, and arch formation. What dance am I?
Answer: Hora
Sports Riddles
Riddle 25
I play as a midfielder for the Turkish club Fatih Karagümrük. I have also earned over 80 caps for the Moldovan national team since 2016. Who am I?
Answer: Vadim Rață
Riddle 26
We are brothers who both play for the same Romanian Liga 1 club. I, Ion, play defense while my brother Vitalie plays goalkeeper. What is our shared last name?
Answer: Damașcan
Riddle 27
I broke onto the boxing scene at 17 by winning gold for Moldova at the European Youth Boxing Championships. I went on to win flyweight bronze at the 2008 Olympics. Who is this Moldovan boxer?
Answer: Veaceslav Gojan
Riddle 28
I competed for Moldova as an artistic gymnast in the late 1990s and early 2000s. My best event was the floor exercise, where I won multiple medals at the European Youth Olympic Festival. What is my name?
Answer: Alina Alexoi-Tumbar
Science & Invention Riddles
Riddle 29
My father was Bessarabian while my mother was from Ukraine. After studying in Russia, I moved to the USA and patented over 400 inventions, including television and radio devices. Who am I?
Answer: Vladimir Zworykin
Riddle 30
My grandfather fought for the Moldovan national movement in 1917 before later becoming an accomplished botanist. As for me, I discovered rhodopsin and researched cures for night blindness. Who am I?
Answer: George Wald
Riddle 31
I created a regenerative receiver that amplified signals for long-distance phone calls in 1913. AT&T used my invention for transatlantic calls in the 1920s. What is my name?
Answer: Mihajlo Pupin
Riddle 32
I developed a technique using frog sciatic nerves to study nerve impulses. This discovery won me the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1944 along with neighbor Sir Alexander Fleming. Who am I?
Answer: Ivan Pavlov
Geography Riddles Part 2
Riddle 33
I’m a small town perched on rocky cliffs overlooking the Dniester River and the border with Ukraine. I’m known for my medieval fortress and old stone monastery. What scenic town am I?
Answer: Tighina (Bender)
Riddle 34
I’m a nature reserve spanning over 60,000 hectares along the Middle Prut River. Over 160 bird species like egrets, white storks, and eagles stop here during seasonal migrations. What protected wetland area am I?
Answer: Lower Prut Nature Reserve
Riddle 35
We are the largest lakes fully within the territory of Moldova. Located near Dubăsari, we cover around 3,000 total hectares and are home to over 44 fish species as well as many birds. What bodies of water are we?
Answer: The Manta and Beleu Lakes
Riddle 36
I’m a museum located in the tip of the Soroca fortress overlooking the Dniester River. I depict the history and ethnography of the Soroca region through archaeological artifacts, handicrafts, and artwork. What museum am I?
Answer: Soroca Ethnographic Museum
People & Population Riddles
Riddle 37
Over 7% of the total population in Moldova belongs to us. We are an ethnic group who arrived from Romania and share ancestry with groups like Aromanians. Who are we?
Answer: Moldovans
Riddle 38
We represent Moldova’s largest minority group at over 6% of the population. We have our own language and a distinct culture influenced by our Slavic roots. What ethnic group are we referring to?
Answer: Ukrainians
Riddle 39
I belong to an ethnic group that makes up under 6% of Moldova’s population. I likely descend from a mix of Cumans and Pechenegs who inhabited these lands centuries ago. What group might I be?
Answer: Gagauz
Riddle 40
We represent around 4% of Moldova’s population but have an outsized cultural impact through our food, festivals, language, and religious traditions. We have lived here since the 14th century. What influential group are we?
Answer: Bulgarians
Politics Riddles
Riddle 41
I previously served as Prime Minister from 2015 to 2019 before becoming President in 2020 on an anti-corruption platform. Maia Sandu took over my role as Prime Minister. Who am I?
Answer: Igor Dodon
Riddle 42
I led the National Salvation Committee that coordinated protests after Moldova’s disputed 2010 parliamentary election before later being elected Prime Minister twice between 2015-2019. Who am I?
Answer: Pavel Filip
Riddle 43
A former World Bank economist, I became Moldova’s first female president in 2020 on promises to fight corruption and strengthen ties with the EU. Who am I?
Answer: Maia Sandu
Riddle 44
I previously served as Acting President of Moldova in 2000 and again briefly in 2009 before my Alliance of European Integration coalition finally removed the Communists from power in Moldova’s “Twitter Revolution” of 2009. What is my name?
Answer: Mihai Ghimpu
Miscellaneous Riddles
Riddle 45
I’m a Christian Orthodox monastery carved into limestone cliffs near the village of Tipova. My name refers to my cliffside caves which provided sanctuary for locals during times of invasion over centuries. What historic monastery am I?
Answer: Tipova Monastery
Riddle 46
Built in the 1840s, I’m one of Moldova’s oldest scientific institutions and agricultural research centers. Located near the capital Chișinău, experts work here studying everything from plant breeding to soil management. What research center am I?
Answer: The National Botanical Garden (Grădina Botanică)
Riddle 47
I refer to New Year’s Day on the Julian calendar, celebrated as a holiday by ethnic groups like Russians and Ukrainians. In Moldova, I feature festive meals and singing while sowing fortunes for the coming year. What holiday am I?
Answer: Old New Year
Riddle 48
Held every March in Chișinău city center, I’m one of Moldova’s largest craft fairs showcasing wine, food, ceramics, clothing, artwork, and more from all regions of the country. What event am I describing?
Answer: The National Wine Day Festival (Ziua Națională a Vinului)
Riddle 49
Every winter on January 14th, I commemorate the reunification of Moldova with Romania in 1918 after World War I. Major celebrations happen in Chișinău and Bălți. What patriotic Moldovan holiday am I?
Answer: Union Day (Ziua Unirii)
Riddle 50
I’m a resort town located near Romania’s Danube Delta. Families come here to enjoy Black Sea beaches, mineral springs, and balneal sanatoriums. What Moldovan seaside destination am I describing?
Answer: Vadul lui Vodă
Riddle 51
I’m a city in Transnistria with Tiraspol as my capital. I declared independence in 1990 during the dissolution of the USSR but have not been recognized internationally within Moldovan territory. What breakaway state am I?
Answer: Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR)
Riddle 52
Celebrated between June 24-27 annually, I honor the Christian Saint John and feature parades, music, wine-drinking contests, and water splashing similar to Songkran. What fun Moldovan festival am I describing?
Answer: Ivana Kupala
Riddle 53
I’m a traditional garment for Moldovan women featuring colorful floral embroidery. Red is the dominant color used which holds symbolic meaning in Moldovan culture. What national dress am I?
Answer: The ie
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 53 riddles exploring the varied geography, history, culture, famous figures, holidays and more from the fascinating country of Moldova! From its ancient monasteries and fortresses to inventions that changed the world to celebrating customs with music, food and drink, this small country has made many impressive contributions. Let me know if you have any other riddles about this little landlocked nation between Romania and Ukraine!
