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Iaşi

Exuberant, cultured Iaşi (pronounced ‘yash’) clearly enjoys being the biggest city in Moldavia. Once dubbed the ‘city of the hundred churches’, Iaşi is indeed bursting with centuries of architectural creations. Yet besides the monasteries, theatres and other historic buildings, this eclectic place has botanical parks, big squares and (for better or for worse) both communist-era concrete structures and gleaming modern shopping malls.

As with its shopping scene, Iaşi’s innumerable eateries, drinking holes and lively clubs depend on the robust university population. You'll find students from all over the world here – making this little corner of Romania unexpectedly cosmopolitan.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Iaşi.

  • Museum

    Palace of Culture

    Iaşi's premier attraction and symbol of the city is the grandiose Gothic-revival Palace of Culture that dominates the horizon at the southern end of B-dul Ştefan cel Mare şi Sfânt. Though it looks as if it stepped out of a medieval fairy tale, the building is only around 100 years old (built from 1906 to 1925). The palace stands over Prince Alexandru cel Bun's ruined 15th-century princely court. Visitors can tour the palace, climb the tower and explore four major museums.

  • Monastery

    Golia Monastery

    This beautiful late Renaissance–style monastery is guarded by thick walls and the 30m-high Golia tower, which you can climb (120 steps) for views out over the city. The 17th-century church is notable for its vibrant Byzantine frescoes and intricately carved doorways, and features bastions from 1667. The complex also contains a small museum dedicated to writer and one-time resident Ion Creangă (1837–89), renowned for his Moldavian folklore–inspired short stories.

  • Gardens

    Botanical Gardens

    Iaşi's Botanical Gardens are Romania’s first (1856) and largest (100 hectares). They sprawl across Parcul Exposiţiei's western side and offer 21km of shady lanes, 800 rose varieties and orchid gardens, plus greenhouses with tropical flowers and carnivorous plants. Kids will enjoy the lawns and small lake. The gardens are about 3km northwest of the centre, so take a taxi (8 lei) or walk (20 minutes) up on B-dul Carol I.

  • Museum

    Art Museum

    The art museum occupies much of the Palace of Culture's 1st floor, with some 24 chambers of paintings organised according to category: Romanian modern art, universal art (foreign works), and contemporary art. Highlights of the Romanian section include some 20 works by Nicolae Grigorescu, plus pieces by others, including Moldavian Petre Achiţemie.

  • Church

    Moldavian Metropolitan Cathedral

    This cavernous cathedral, built between 1833 and 1839, was designed by architect Alexandru Orascu and decorated by painter Gheorghe Tattarescu. Since 1889, when the cathedral claimed the relics of Moldavia's patron saint, St Paraschiva, from the Church of the Three Hierarchs, the faithful have flocked here each October to see them displayed.

  • Church

    Church of the Three Hierarchs

    Built by Prince Vasile Lupu between 1637 and 1639, and restored between 1882 and 1904, this is one of Iaşi's most beautiful churches. Its exterior stone pattern work is exquisite and reveals Turkish, Georgian and Armenian influences. It also contains the marble tombs of Prince Lupu and his family (to the left), plus those of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza (to the right) and Moldavian prince Dimitrie Cantemir.

  • University

    Alexandru Ioan Cuza University

    This is the impressive headquarters of Romania's first university, founded in 1860. The building dates from around the turn of the 20th century and the inauguration was overseen by King Carol I himself. One of the highlights of the interior is the Gheorghe Asachi Technical Library, a beautifully restored historic reading salon dating from the building's origins. Find it in the northern wing of the building.

  • Museum

    Mihai Eminescu Museum of Literature

    This museum documents the writings, life and loves of Eminescu (1850–89), Romania’s favourite writer and poet. The great love of the married poet, Veronica Micle, was married also. They each outlived their spouses but never married due to Eminescu’s deteriorating health. The busts of Micle and Eminescu face each other by his favourite linden tree on Junimea Alea.

  • Museum

    Moldavian History Museum

    Located on the western side of the Palace of Culture, the history museum tells the story of Moldavia over the centuries. From the earliest evidence of prehistoric man through the Dacian and Roman periods, the Middle Ages, and into modern times, with the founding of the Romanian state in the 19th century and the two world wars.