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.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Pogor House Literary Museum

0.3 MILES

This museum was originally Vasile Pogor's 1850s mansion, hosting literary society meetings from 1871. On its grounds stand rows of busts of literary…

2. Copou Park

0.37 MILES

Designed between 1834 and 1848 under Prince Mihail Sturza, this 10-hectare park is allegedly where poet Mihai Eminescu wrote beneath a linden tree. The…

3. Mihai Eminescu Museum of Literature

0.38 MILES

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,…

4. Statue of Mihai Eminescu

0.39 MILES

A statue of Romanian writer Mihai Eminescu greets arriving students (and everyone else) from atop a very visible perch at the start of B-dul Carol I.

5. Union Museum

0.58 MILES

This impressive neoclassical palace was Alexandru Cuza's home for three years (1859–62) and later housed King Ferdinand during his WWI retreat from…

6. St Spiridon's Monastery

0.66 MILES

This monastery contains the headless body of Grigore Ghica III, killed in 1777 for opposing the Turks. The present structure dates from 1807, after an…

7. Statue of Avram Goldfaden

0.99 MILES

A statue of the late Jewish poet and playwright Avram (Abraham) Goldfaden stands near the Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre. Goldfaden is considered a…

8. Moldavian Metropolitan Cathedral

1.01 MILES

This cavernous cathedral, built between 1833 and 1839, was designed by architect Alexandru Orascu and decorated by painter Gheorghe Tattarescu. Since 1889…