The largest monument to Stephen the Great in Moldova will be inaugurated in the center of the town of Hancesti. The whole structure is 5.8 meters high, while the statue of the Medieval ruler itself is 2.5 meters high. The monument in Chisinau is only 5 meters high. Hancesti Mayor Alexandru Botnari told IPN that the statue is unique because, unlike other monuments made of several parts, it's a solid piece of Cosauti rock.
The official said the that there previously was a bust of the prince in Hancesti, but it was too small for the 2000 square meters of the Sovereignty Plaza. The local council approved of erecting a bigger monument. The next stage is to build two fountains and pave the plaza.
Overall, the project will cost 900,000 lei. The monument to Stephen the Great with a sword in his hand cost 170,000 lei.
Alexandru Botnari said that local authorities planned to inaugurate the monument on the occasion of the Independence Day on August 27, but because of the large amount of work, the date might be postponed.
