Orhei is a district (raion) in central Moldova, with its administrative center in the city of Orhei. As of 2014 Moldovan Census its population was 101,502.
The Orhei region has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Settlements included the ancient city of Getae (located near modern Trebujeni). Getae stood from the eighth to the second century BC and was abandoned after an invasion by a Germanic tribe, the Bastarnae. Non-fortified settlements were located on the riverbank. A medieval fortress of earth and wood was later constructed near the former site of Getae, which stood from the 12th to the 14th century AD. During the 14th century, the Golden Horde occupied the region; the town was conquered, and its name changed to Shehr al Jedid. From 1363 to 1365, Horde leader Abdullah Khan resided in Shehr al Jedid. At the end of the 14th century, the Horde were driven out and the empire dissolved; the eastern city evolved, acquiring Moldovan characteristics. During the reign of Stephen the Great the stone city was repaired, equipped with artillery and became the residence of Orhei's governor. During the mid-16th century, the old city was abandoned in favor of the current site, 15 km northwest. The stone fortress was destroyed. About 1600, Prince Ieremia Movilă unsuccessfully attempted to rebuild the city, and in 1665 a cave monastery was built in the area. In 1773, the Curchi monastery was built near the Vatici. After the 1812 Treaty of Bucharest, Bessarabia was occupied by the Russian Empire until 1917. In 1918, after the collapse of the Russian Empire, Bessarabia joined Romania. Orhei County existed as part of the Kingdom of Romania from 1918 to 1940 and 1941 to 1944. After the 1939 Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, Bessarabia was occupied by the USSR in June 1940. Moldovan independence in 1991 revived Orhei County until 2003, when it became a district of Moldova.
