Călărași (Romanian pronunciation: [kələˈraʃʲ]) is a town in Moldova, founded in 1848.
Long ago, the word "călărași" meant "horsemen" (today the word is "călăreți"). The name of Călărași was inspired by a legend which tells that once, when Stephen III of Moldavia fought the Ottomans, he ordered a regiment of horsemen to stand guard. They fought the Ottomans, sacrificed themselves and, finally, won the battle.