The transition of Moldovan Vernacular Residential Architecture in the XIX century

Abstract

Starting with the 14th century, Principality of Moldova inhabited the territories between Nistru River, the Black sea, Danube and the Carpathian Mountains. This location, although having well-delimited natural borders, represented the intersection of multiple spheres of influence such as the intersection between the Ottoman Empire and the European Monarchies, Islam and Christianity etc.
Since 1504 Moldova has been in a decline which led to its occupation under Ottoman rule, which was followed by ruthless oppressions of the state in terms of law, economy and rule. Nevertheless, the harshest oppression was experienced under the Russian occupation. With the treaty of Bucharest in 1812, the territory of Moldova is ruptured in two regions – Basarabia which was ceded to the Russian Empire, and Moldova that stayed under Ottoman occupation for 50 more years. This paper aims to shed light in the transition of vernacular residential architecture from Basarabia under the denationalization policies established by the Russian Empire. This will be followed by a comparative study with the architectural development of the unoccupied region of Moldova. The research question is posed: What are the characteristics of the Moldovan vernacular architecture in Basarabia and how did it change in the 19th century in comparison with the Non-occupied region of Moldova ?
The content of the research starts with a brief text explaining the lay of the land, internal/external factors that influenced Moldovan society, culture and architecture. The historical descriptive chapter is followed by an extensive description on the typical architecture of the residences in rural regions and their building technology. The chapter would subsequently describe the local residential typologies in terms of space and area.
The research further broadens into two chapters explaining the traditional ornamentation and dimensions/structure subsequently. This allows a broader overview into the similarities, identities and differences of the minorities that inhabited the land that is described in the next chapter - Regional and Ethnic characteristics of Moldovan residential vernacular architecture.
To answer the last part of the research question, comparative study is presented in the conclusion chapter of the research, it simultaneously leads to more questions that this research managed to tackle and prospects of study.
The conclusion of this research states that although the local population met little to no interaction between West and East Moldova (Basarabia) their architectural identities stayed the same in terms of components and ornamentics. It is of course important to underline that while the occidental part of Moldova developed further its decorative crafts, the oriental one saw multiple changes due to the new minorities that were forced into the province.