Creating the city for goats was a beautiful idea; now it is a major attraction.
Imagine an enchanting city where narrow streets weave between houses, creating cozy passages among colourful buildings. Every house is a work of art, each detail intertwined with the history and character of its inhabitants. The main residents are goats, living harmoniously alongside chicken, geese, dogs, and other animals. Nestled in the picturesque valley of the village of Pohrebea in the Dubăsari district, Moldova, this city is called KOZY, Ukrainian for “goats”.
The majority of goats here belong to the Boer breed, known for its intelligence and loyalty. With an excellent memory, each goat has a name and responds to it when called. Curious by nature, the goats eagerly explore new objects, grazing areas, and socialize with other animals and people. Goats are social creatures, ideal for this city that explores the interactions between people and animals.
The visionary behind the goat city project, Olga Kopylova, is a woman with a big heart. In 2022 she relocated from Ukraine to Moldova, bringing the goats that were previously part of another project called “Goats and Sailors”. When the project first started the city was home to 60 goats, a number that has increased significantly over the past two years. Kopylova cares for the animals with great dedication, and she brought a piece of her past and culture to their new home, creating a new Moldovan tourist attraction only 45 km from the capital of Chisinau.
KOZY was designed by the architectural bureau LH47 ARCH, and supervised by Sergey Myrza, LH47 ARCH’s chief architect and CEO, as well as a certified specialist in Active House technology.
The City of Goats aims to create a unique, cozy space reflecting harmony with nature, warm interactions with animals, and a creative atmosphere. KOZY sits atop a hill, providing views of the surrounding nature and the river. The cottages mirror the infrastructure a human city, including a city hall, police station, and post office, even a nursery for little goats the young kidsand the Institute of Noble Goats, plus a theatre, KOZYno for goats who like to gamble, beauty salon, travel bureau and so on.
On top of all this, each goat family has its own cozy home, constructed using an old technique called mazanka, used in central and eastern Ukraine for centuries.
Goats’ high living
Sergey Myrza explains that only authentic and natural materials were used in the project. The construction of the goat city was made possible by a partnership with Eveco Construction, a specialist in eco-homes made from panels with straw insulation.
Eveco dubbed KOZY “the largest tourist complex in Moldova with eco-construction technology”. It’s estimated that straw houses can last for 100 years, and they are 95% made from eco-materials.
Externally, a goat house looks like a simple structure with a pitched roof, but inside everything is set up according to the goats’ needs. A handcrafted ceramic house number hangs on the door of each house, adorned with artistic elements related to goats. In such a tourist attraction, where everything familiar is turned upside down, handmade artworks add warmth and charm to the overall atmosphere. They also underscore the importance of supporting local craftsmen, whose works embody a piece of their soul, character, and years of experience.
The floor made of wooden planks is furnished with soft straw bedding, and adorned with bright carpets featuring national patterns. There are even refined chandeliers, and garlands for lighting, while the walls showcase the paintings of local residents. Overall, the interior of the goats’ houses radiates a warm and friendly feeling, guaranteeing comfort and coziness for its inhabitants. Olga Kopylova is confident that “goats do not destroy what they like and find comfortable; on the contrary, they enjoy living surrounded by things.”
Do good and live well
On the city grounds there is also a restaurant for two-legged visitors, and a terrace overlooking a small vineyard. Tables are placed directly between lush rows of grapevines. The menu features a range of dishes, traditional and modern, and the nearby “Land of Basarabia” winery provides many vintages of various varieties and blends.
At the top of the hill, plans are underway to establish a glamping facility, and 13 cottages are already under construction on the city grounds. “Each offers a breathtaking view of both the goat city and the sunset. Sunsets in Pohrebea are unique!” promises Sergey Myrza.
KOZY is a tribute to the fusion of architectural inventiveness, environmental awareness, and the inspiring co-existence of people and goats. From a visionary project by devised by Olga Kopylova to the meticulous implementation by the LH47 ARCH team and the eco-friendly expertise of Eveco Construction, KOZY lives and breathes a commitment to sustainable living. It not only reimagines urban space, but also serves as a model for responsible tourism, promoting a deep connection with the natural world.
