Iasi

Iasi is the capital of Iasi County located in the eastern part of the Moldova region. It is the second most populated city in Romania, after Bucharest, with a population of around 320,000 (in 2002).


It is said that, like Rome, Iasi lies on seven hills. Some of these hills have conspicuous churches perched on top, each of which warrants a different view of the city. Iasi looks green from above in spite of the ubiquitous brick and concrete due to its boulevards and gardens. Ancient churches, old European style houses and communist apartment buildings compete for space in this crowded city, which is constantly expanding into the surrounding villages. Like all communities in the former soviet block, Iasi had to reinvent itself after 1989. In Iasi you will find both simplicity and sophistication, and interminable ironies as the reinvention process unfolds.
Source: Wikipedia

Main Sights

• Palace of Culture (Palatul Culturii) - Piata Stefan cel Mare si Sfant 1; Open: Tue. - Sun 10:00am - 5:00pm; closed Mondays
• St. Paraschiva Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedrala Mitropolitana Sfanta Paraschiva) - Blvd. Stefan cel Mare si Sfant 46; Open: Mon. - Sun. 9:00am - 8:00pm
• Church of the Three Hierarchs (Biserica Sfantilor Trei Ierarhi) - Str. Stefan cel Mare 62; Open: Daily 9:00am - 1:00pm; 3:00pm - 7:00pm
• Roznoveanu Palace/City Hall (Palatul Rozvoneanu/Primaria) - Blvd. Stefan cel Mare si Sfant 45
• Alexandru Bals House/ Moldova Philharmonic House (Filarmonica Moldova) - Str. Arcu 13
• National Theatre (Teatrul National Vasile Alecsandri) - Str. Agatha Barsescu 18
• Traian Hotel (Hotelul Traian) - Piata Unirii 1
• Ticau District (Cartierul Ticau) - Opposite Copou Park
• Old University Palace (Vechea Universitate) - Blvd. Independentei 35
• University on Copou Hill (Universitatea Alexandru Ioan Cuza) - Blvd. Carol I nr. 11
• Central University Library (Biblioteca Centrala Universitara Mihai Eminescu) - Str. Pacurari 4

Churches

• Golia Monastery (Manastirea Golia) - Str. Cuza Voda 51; Open: daily from sunrise to sunset
• The Princely Saint Nicholas Church (Biserica Sfantul Nicolae Domnesc) - Str. Anastasie Panu 65, Iasi; Open: daily 8am to sunset
• Cetatuia Monastery (Manastirea Cetatuia) - Str. Cetatuia 1; Open: daily 8:00am - sunset
• Galata Monastery (Manastirea Galata) - Str. Manastirii 4; Open: daily 8:00am - sunset
• Frumoasa Monastery (Manastirea Frumoasa) - Str. Radu Voda 1; Open: Mon. - Sun. 8:00am - sunset

Things to do

• Museum of Moldova (Complexul Muzeal National Moldova) - Piata Stefan cel Mare si Sfant 1 in Palace of Culture / Palatul Culturii; contact@muzeul-moldova.ro; www.muzeul-moldova.ro; Open: Tue. - Sun. 10:00am - 5:00pm; closed on Monday.
• Moldavian Ethnographic Museum (Muzeul Etnografic al Moldovei)
• Art Museum (Muzeul de Arta)
• Moldavian History Museum (Muzeul de Istorie al Moldovei)
• Science and Technology Museum (Muzeul Stiintei si Tehnicii)
• Natural History Museum (Muzeul de Stiinte al Naturii) - Blvd. Independentei 16; Tel: (232) 218.337; Open: Tue. - Sat. 9:00am - 4:00pm; Sun. 10:00am - 5:00pm; closed on Monday.
• Theatre Museum (Muzeul Teatrului) - Str. Vasile Alecsandri 5; Tel: (232) 115.760; Open: Tue. - Sun 10:00am - 5:00pm; closed on Monday.

Useful Information

Transportation

• By air - Iasi airport (code IAS)
• By train - Iasi train station