Ethnological and architectural aspects of traditional gates and fences in the Codru Orhei region

Abstract

This article sheds light on some ethnological and architectural features of traditional gates and fences in the Codrii Orheiului region. In this region, there are numerous decorative elements in peasant houses and courtyards that are not found in other parts of Moldova. We note that stone flowers, house pillars and columns, massive gate and fence pillars, stone inlays stand out with their bright colors applied to a white or bluish background, beautifully decorated stone verandas, chimneys with floral motifs. In these settlements, traditional gates and fences have become a symbol of local, regional and even national cultural heritage. The gate represents the primary sign of entry into the farm, symbolizing the first passage into the sacred space of the family, located behind the courtyard. Together with the house fence, the gates create a real protective belt, and from the very beginning of their appearance they had to perform a triple functionality: utilitarian, aesthetic and magical-symbolic. Having ancient meanings and motives (zoomorphic, anthropomorphic, everyday, cultural, artistic, natural, and cosmic), these structures were and are created by specialized builders or folk craftsmen, emphasizing in their image with architectural motives their single component, with the house and the entire farm, thereby forming a multifaceted folk rural architecture.