ChiÅ inÄ u was founded in 1436 as a monastery town , the city was part of the Moldavian Principality , which , starting with the 16th century fell under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire . Founded in 1436 as a monastery village , the city was part of the Moldavian Principality , which , starting with the 16th century fell under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire .