Abandoned Observatory of the Pioneer Palace

Before falling into disrepair, this observatory was part of Chișinău’s Pioneer Palace—a Soviet-era center that ran free after-school programs. Back then, curious students came to learn about the cosmos, guided by dedicated professors. For many youths, it was a first look through a real telescope. The facility stayed open into the early 1990s, even after Moldova gained independence, but eventually closed as public support faded.

Today, the now-abandoned astronomy dome still stands, perched atop a decaying, vandalized building. Gaps in the dome’s metal shell offer sweeping views of the city. Inside, at the structure’s center, a pedestal covered in graffiti marks where a telescope once stood. A rusted circular track at the base of the dome still hints at the mechanism that once allowed it to rotate.

Not many people come up here these days, but those who do tend to leave their mark. Urban explorers, the occasional YouTuber, and groups of local teenagers looking for a place to hang out all pass through. For former Pioneers, returning to the dome might stir memories—red scarves, stargazing sessions, and a different time.