Căușeni

Căușeni is a city in the Republic of Moldova and the administrative center of Căușeni District.

History

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Căușeni was the capital of the Budjak Horde.
The 17th century Assumption of Our Lady Church is the oldest surviving building in the town. It is set more than below ground level and preserves the only medieval fresco in the Republic of Moldova. Executed by Walachian painters in a late Byzantine-Romanian style, the interiors feature religious scenes and iconography in vibrant reds, gold, and blues.
At one time it was a vibrant Jewish shtetl. In 1897, 45% of the population was Jewish, most working in agriculture.

Geography

Căușeni lies in the southeastern part of Moldova, on the Botna river, a tributary of the Dniester. Spread across an area of, it is one of 30 administrative subdivisions within the namesake district. It is part of the Bessarabia region.

Demographics

According to the 2024 census, 13,458 inhabitants lived in Căușeni, a decrease compared to the previous census in 2014, when 15,939 inhabitants were registered.