Abandoned Observatory of the Pioneer Palace

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-ab…