COUNTY IASI
City of Iasi is a city settled at crossroads and railways. Seen from the top of Repedea (Dealul Paun-407m high) the view of Iasi can hardly resemble with some other place. From here the picture is amazing, large or smaller hills with numerous villages, vineyards, meadows or lands surround the city: Cetatuia, Galata, Miroslava, Bucium, Sorogari, Ciric, Breazu, Aroneanu.
Iasi was populated from ancient times, the documents revealing it from the first centuries of our era. When and how it developed before becoming capital in 1564, under Alexandru Lapusneanu, it is hard to say. But as soon as it became a capital, different leaders underline a series of event trough building edifices that are famous even outside the borders of Romania.
- Trei Ierarhi monastery, built between 1637-1639 by Vasile Lupu, the leader of Moldavia. The initial construction included the tower of the spire, set at the entrance, a surrounding wall and the cells of the monks. On the tower with the clock was carved on stone the arms of Moldavia, the head of a European bison, the moon and the sun in a square, having at the entrance a lion. The outside was caved in stone, with floral and geometric design of Caucasian inspiration and covered in gold. Burned in 1650, 1686, 1808 and 1827, the church was renewed in 1841 when the relics of Saint Paraschiva were brought here. In the pronaos of the church, in the left side are the tombs of the founder and of his family, and in the right side those of Dimitrie Cantemir (brought from Russia in 1935) and Alexandru Ioan Cuza (brought from Ruginoasa in 1947). The gothic hall built in the yard of the monastery is a construction in gothic style, the former residence of Vasile Lupu. At Trei Ierarhi was the first superior school from Romanian countries and the first printing house from Moldova (1642) where was realized, in 1643, the first printing in Romanian from Moldova “Cazamia mitropolitului Varlaam”. Nowadays is a museum of religious medieval art.
- Palatul culturii –The palace of culture – the monument that became the symbol of the capital of Romania was built between 1906-1925 on the ruins of the former Court from Iasi. On the central tower was set a 3m diameter clock that still tones every hour the “Union’s round dance”. At the first floor is the Room of the voivodes with paintings realized by Stefan Dumitrescu and his students, and the Room “Henri Coanda” which labyrinths were executed by a project of this important savant. The palace has four big museums: art, history, polytechnic and ethnographic.
- Sfantul Nicolae Domnesc Church – In 1491-1492, Stefan cel Mare built it near the Court, and is the eldest edifice from Iasi. Here all the leaders of Moldavia, from Despot Voda to Alexandru I. Cuza were named.
- The house of the bishop Dosoftei – Construction from the second part of the XVII century where the bishop Dosoftei installed the second printing of Moldavia in 1679. Here he printed Liturghia (1679), Psaltirea denteles (1680) and Viata si petrecerea Sfintilor (1682-1686). Nowadays here is the section of the old literature of the Museum of Romanian literature. Trough the most important exhibits are: a liturgy book printed by Macarie in 1508; The Apostle, the oldest Romanian manuscript, 1559-1560;-The Sermon of the bishop Varlaam (Cazania mitropolitului Varlaam); The psalter in rhyme (Psaltirea in versuri)-1673 of Dosoftei bishop as well as a Gospel from 1682;- a copy of the “Wallachian chronicle” by Ion Niculce. Since 1975 near the Casa Doroftei stands the statue of the great scholar.
- The metropolitan Cathedral – built by the bishop Veriamin Costache, between 1833-1839, during the times of Grigore Sturza on the place of the former Alba and Stratenia churches. The church was finished in 1839, but because the vaults fell, it remained a ruin until 1880, when, at the proposal of Mihail Kogalniceanu, with founds allocated by the Royal Foundation Carol I was restored. Finished in 1886, the church had its interior fresco executed by Gh. Tatarescu in the next year. The Cathedral was consecrated at 23 of April, 1887, in the presence of the king Carol I and queen Elisabeta, on the patron of Sf. Gheorghe. -The church Sfantul Gheorghe ( Mitropolia Veche) –palace of the treasurer Iordache Rosseti Roznovanu built between 1800-1816, but destroyed because of a fire, and renewed between 1830-1838.
- The Episcopal Catholic Church – the Church of mure of the Catholic Church, known also under the name of “Biserica Franciscana” – Franciscan Church, is a baroque construction from the end of the XVII century with the patron Adormirea Maicii Domnului. The church is replacing another church made of wood that burn in 1766. Damaged by the earthquake from 1802 and of the fire from 1827, was reconstructed and enlarged in 1869.
– The Union Square – The central square of Iasi, with a symbolic name dating from 1881 where the enthusiastic crowd danced the “ Romanian round dance” in 1857 and 1859. Here, Alexandru Ioan Cuza announced “Romanians, the Union was accomplished, The Romanian Nation is founded! “. Also here was celebrated the centenary of the death of Mihai Viteazul, the founder of the first union of the three Romanian countries. And also here, in 1917, the Transylvanian- ardelean volunteers from the first world war took the oath : “We will die for Romania”. In the middle of the square is the bronze tomb of Cuza Voda, with a 3.5m granite pedestal, and which portrays Alexandru Ioan Cuza in époque cloths, with a majestic attitude. At the basis of the pedestal is a statuary group representing the advisers of the leader: Mihail Kogalniceanu, general Ioan Em. Florescu, Costache Negri and Nicolae Kretzulescu. The inauguration of the monument took place at 25-27 of May 1912.
- The Museum of the Union – the palace was built in 1808 on the nowadays Lapusneanu street, architectonic monument of classic style with two levels and a façade that impresses trough the six atlantes that sustain the Arms of the Union. Important personalities such as M. Kogalniceanu, Vasile Alecsandri, C. Hurmuzachi presented here great speeches. The palace was the residence of Alexandru I.Cuza ( 1859-1862) and of the king Ferdinand I (1917-1918). At 24 of January 1959, with the occasion of the celebration of the Union Centenary, the Museum of the Union opened –place where are kept original documents concerning the revolution from 1848, the actions of the ad-hoc meetings from Iasi and Bucharest, papers, proclamations, laws from the period 1859-1866, objects that belonged to Cuza family, pieces of art signed by Th. Aman, Ion Irimescu, C. Stahi.
- Golia Monastery – Monastery built between 1650-1653 by Vasile Lupu (Moldavia’s leader 1634-1653) on the ruins of the monastery built by Ioan Golia and 1546. Surrounded by powerfull walls and towers of defense, it resemblance with a fortified fortress. In the church are buried some members of the Cantacuzino family. Next to it Cismeaua de la Golia – The fountain from Golia – can be visited.
- Barboi Monastery – built between 1613-1615 by the important minister of justice Ursu Barboi, killed together with his sons by the ruler Stefan Tomsa. Destroyed by fires and earthquakes, it was reconstructed by Ionita Sandu sturza in 1841, the first native ruler, after the Phanariots. Here Ion Creanga was deacon in 1861-1865.
- Frumoasa Monastery – built between 1584-1585 by the minister of war – hatman Balicadin, the family of the noblemen Buzesti, known also under the name of Sfintii Arhangheli Mihail si Gavril.
- Cetatuia Monastery – fortified monastery built on the hill with the same name from the south of Iasi, at the order of Gheorghe Duca ruler between 1667-1672. The monastery contains the church, the tower-spire from the entrance, the ruler’s palace, the gothic salon from the prior, the Turkish bath and the cells. The church with the patron Sfintii Petru si Paul is considered a simplified copy of the Trei Ierarhi Church. It has stone caved squares at windows and doors. The ruler’s house – Casa Domneasca shelters the art collection of the monastery (icons, silver wave and pieces of furniture, manuscripts).
- Galata Monastery – Monastery with the patron Inaltarea Domnului, constructed by Petru Schiopu, on the hill with the same name from the south of Iasi. In the first reign 1574-1579, the ruler constructed the Galata Monastery “from the valley” finished in 1579, that collapsed after short time because of a landfall. After the battle from Bogdanesti (1582) he asked the construction of the church on a higher plateau and in 1584 was finished. Surrounded by walls of stone, with a tower-spire at the main gate, the court sheltered the ruler’s house, the cells, the priory. In the yard was exposed the spire gifted by Petru Shiopu in 1579 to the monastery “from the valley”
- Bojdeuca lui Ion Creanga – the house where Ion Creanga lived from Valea Plangerii, Ticau Street, is connected with the life and the literary activity of the great teller. Here, in the fall of the year 1876, Creanga brought a special guest – Badita Mihai Creanga and he entertained him with sayings and stories, and the poet was laughing and always advice him to write more. At Bojdeuca from Tacau was founded in 1918 the first Memorial Museum, as a homage brought to the two great writers: Ion Creanga and Mihai Eminescu. In 1989 at the centenary of the death of the writer, was constructed another building where is the documentary exhibit. Also, in the yard of Bojdeuca is the granite bust of Ion Creanga, and in front of the crib is the statue of the writer, where Ion Creanga is represented with his face turned to the Bojdeuca, holding the shoulders of two children.
- Copou Garden -the first documents that attest the hunting reservation from Copou date from the leading of Vasile Lupu. In 1883 the garden is laid on the place of the former post office and is surrounded by a stone wall. Mihalache Sturza buys the land and arranges the park in the style of the English reservations. Since then Copou became a place of recreation for the people who live in Iasi. In the middle of the garden is “Obeliscul cu lei” or the Pyramid of the lions. The pedestal of the monument is from only one stone, brought from Scheia quarry. The monument was finished in 1840. The lime from the Copou Garden is a legend, known under the name of “the lime of Eminescu”. In january 1984, near “The lime of Eminescu” opened a museum, a special homage brought to the paragon of Romanian poetry.
- The house Vasile Pogor –built in 1850 by Vasile Pogor is known also under the name of “The house with lightened windows” (because was one of the first houses illuminated with electricity). Here the members from the Junimea Society – who’s publication was “Convorbiri Literare”- were meeting. Today is the center of the Museum of Romanian Literature from Iasi, inaugurated at the 26th of December, 1972.
- The Monument of Mihai Eminescu – staturay group made of bronze, built in 1929, at Ateneul Popular Toma
Cozma, the author being a Czech sculptor. Placed on a massive pedestal, decorated with inscriptions and bas-reliefs, the statue of the poet is supported by the figures of the Philosophy and the Poetry.
- The statue of Stefan cel Mare – in 1856, Teodor Bals sustained the idea of constructing in front of the Court a bronze monument decored with bas-reliefs, to be executed outside the country by a famous artist. The documentation made by Gh. Asachi was send to the French sculptor Emmanuel Fremiet. It was finished in may 1881 and in June, the 5th 1883 was uncovered. After the official speeches followed the parade of military units. Mihai Eminescu assisted at the festivities as well.
Besides of those reminded above, Iasi is embellished by many other statues and monuments such as: – the Ferentz’s Cross from Nicolina, constructed on the place where the Austrians that came in Moldavia in 1712 for defending it , were killed;- the bust of Gavril Musicescu from the garden of the metropolitan church;- the statue of Gh. Asachi;- the statues of Miron Costin and Vasile Alecsandri, near the National Theatre;- the statues of M Kogalniceanu and A.D. Xenopol, both in front of the University; -the busts of Vironica Micle and Octav Bancila from Copou Garden.
Among the museums we remind the Museum of natural history, the oldest museum from Iasi, which presents to the great public a rich collection of fauna, local or exotic, the botanic Garden-flora.
Besides the Bojdeuca from Ticau, various houses remind the life of different personalities of the Romanian culture or the science: the villa of the poet Mihai Codreanu, the house of Otilia Cazimir, the house of G. Toparceanu and of Vasile Alecsandri; the house of M. Kogalniceanu; the house where Emil Racovita born, the house of A.D. Xenopol.
Trough the discovery of mineral waters at Nicolina, Iasi became also a balneary locality, looked for treating the rheumatism, because of the beneficent mud.
At Iasi was founded the first University in the country (1860) and here were the first beginnings of the superior technical education, a long time before the official establishment of the University, as well as Academia Mihaileana, the first Romanian institution for superior education (1835).
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COUNTY IASI
City of Iasi is a city settled at crossroads and railways. Seen from the top of Repedea (Dealul Paun-407m high) the view of Iasi can hardly resemble with some other place. From here the picture is amazing, large or smaller hills with numerous villages, vineyards, meadows or lands surround the city: Cetatuia, Galata, Miroslava, Bucium, Sorogari, Ciric, Breazu, Aroneanu.
Iasi was populated from ancient times, the documents revealing it from the first centuries of our era. When and how it developed before becoming capital in 1564, under Alexandru Lapusneanu, it is hard to say. But as soon as it became a capital, different leaders underline a series of event trough building edifices that are famous even outside the borders of Romania.
- Trei Ierarhi monastery, built between 1637-1639 by Vasile Lupu, the leader of Moldavia. The initial construction included the tower of the spire, set at the entrance, a surrounding wall and the cells of the monks. On the tower with the clock was carved on stone the arms of Moldavia, the head of a European bison, the moon and the sun in a square, having at the entrance a lion. The outside was caved in stone, with floral and geometric design of Caucasian inspiration and covered in gold. Burned in 1650, 1686, 1808 and 1827, the church was renewed in 1841 when the relics of Saint Paraschiva were brought here. In the pronaos of the church, in the left side are the tombs of the founder and of his family, and in the right side those of Dimitrie Cantemir (brought from Russia in 1935) and Alexandru Ioan Cuza (brought from Ruginoasa in 1947). The gothic hall built in the yard of the monastery is a construction in gothic style, the former residence of Vasile Lupu. At Trei Ierarhi was the first superior school from Romanian countries and the first printing house from Moldova (1642) where was realized, in 1643, the first printing in Romanian from Moldova “Cazamia mitropolitului Varlaam”. Nowadays is a museum of religious medieval art.
- Palatul culturii –The palace of culture – the monument that became the symbol of the capital of Romania was built between 1906-1925 on the ruins of the former Court from Iasi. On the central tower was set a 3m diameter clock that still tones every hour the “Union’s round dance”. At the first floor is the Room of the voivodes with paintings realized by Stefan Dumitrescu and his students, and the Room “Henri Coanda” which labyrinths were executed by a project of this important savant. The palace has four big museums: art, history, polytechnic and ethnographic.
- Sfantul Nicolae Domnesc Church – In 1491-1492, Stefan cel Mare built it near the Court, and is the eldest edifice from Iasi. Here all the leaders of Moldavia, from Despot Voda to Alexandru I. Cuza were named.
- The house of the bishop Dosoftei – Construction from the second part of the XVII century where the bishop Dosoftei installed the second printing of Moldavia in 1679. Here he printed Liturghia (1679), Psaltirea denteles (1680) and Viata si petrecerea Sfintilor (1682-1686). Nowadays here is the section of the old literature of the Museum of Romanian literature. Trough the most important exhibits are: a liturgy book printed by Macarie in 1508; The Apostle, the oldest Romanian manuscript, 1559-1560;-The Sermon of the bishop Varlaam (Cazania mitropolitului Varlaam); The psalter in rhyme (Psaltirea in versuri)-1673 of Dosoftei bishop as well as a Gospel from 1682;- a copy of the “Wallachian chronicle” by Ion Niculce. Since 1975 near the Casa Doroftei stands the statue of the great scholar.
- The metropolitan Cathedral – built by the bishop Veriamin Costache, between 1833-1839, during the times of Grigore Sturza on the place of the former Alba and Stratenia churches. The church was finished in 1839, but because the vaults fell, it remained a ruin until 1880, when, at the proposal of Mihail Kogalniceanu, with founds allocated by the Royal Foundation Carol I was restored. Finished in 1886, the church had its interior fresco executed by Gh. Tatarescu in the next year. The Cathedral was consecrated at 23 of April, 1887, in the presence of the king Carol I and queen Elisabeta, on the patron of Sf. Gheorghe. -The church Sfantul Gheorghe ( Mitropolia Veche) –palace of the treasurer Iordache Rosseti Roznovanu built between 1800-1816, but destroyed because of a fire, and renewed between 1830-1838.
- The Episcopal Catholic Church – the Church of mure of the Catholic Church, known also under the name of “Biserica Franciscana” – Franciscan Church, is a baroque construction from the end of the XVII century with the patron Adormirea Maicii Domnului. The church is replacing another church made of wood that burn in 1766. Damaged by the earthquake from 1802 and of the fire from 1827, was reconstructed and enlarged in 1869.
– The Union Square – The central square of Iasi, with a symbolic name dating from 1881 where the enthusiastic crowd danced the “ Romanian round dance” in 1857 and 1859. Here, Alexandru Ioan Cuza announced “Romanians, the Union was accomplished, The Romanian Nation is founded! “. Also here was celebrated the centenary of the death of Mihai Viteazul, the founder of the first union of the three Romanian countries. And also here, in 1917, the Transylvanian- ardelean volunteers from the first world war took the oath : “We will die for Romania”. In the middle of the square is the bronze tomb of Cuza Voda, with a 3.5m granite pedestal, and which portrays Alexandru Ioan Cuza in époque cloths, with a majestic attitude. At the basis of the pedestal is a statuary group representing the advisers of the leader: Mihail Kogalniceanu, general Ioan Em. Florescu, Costache Negri and Nicolae Kretzulescu. The inauguration of the monument took place at 25-27 of May 1912.
- The Museum of the Union – the palace was built in 1808 on the nowadays Lapusneanu street, architectonic monument of classic style with two levels and a façade that impresses trough the six atlantes that sustain the Arms of the Union. Important personalities such as M. Kogalniceanu, Vasile Alecsandri, C. Hurmuzachi presented here great speeches. The palace was the residence of Alexandru I.Cuza ( 1859-1862) and of the king Ferdinand I (1917-1918). At 24 of January 1959, with the occasion of the celebration of the Union Centenary, the Museum of the Union opened –place where are kept original documents concerning the revolution from 1848, the actions of the ad-hoc meetings from Iasi and Bucharest, papers, proclamations, laws from the period 1859-1866, objects that belonged to Cuza family, pieces of art signed by Th. Aman, Ion Irimescu, C. Stahi.
- Golia Monastery – Monastery built between 1650-1653 by Vasile Lupu (Moldavia’s leader 1634-1653) on the ruins of the monastery built by Ioan Golia and 1546. Surrounded by powerfull walls and towers of defense, it resemblance with a fortified fortress. In the church are buried some members of the Cantacuzino family. Next to it Cismeaua de la Golia – The fountain from Golia – can be visited.
- Barboi Monastery – built between 1613-1615 by the important minister of justice Ursu Barboi, killed together with his sons by the ruler Stefan Tomsa. Destroyed by fires and earthquakes, it was reconstructed by Ionita Sandu sturza in 1841, the first native ruler, after the Phanariots. Here Ion Creanga was deacon in 1861-1865.
- Frumoasa Monastery – built between 1584-1585 by the minister of war – hatman Balicadin, the family of the noblemen Buzesti, known also under the name of Sfintii Arhangheli Mihail si Gavril.
- Cetatuia Monastery – fortified monastery built on the hill with the same name from the south of Iasi, at the order of Gheorghe Duca ruler between 1667-1672. The monastery contains the church, the tower-spire from the entrance, the ruler’s palace, the gothic salon from the prior, the Turkish bath and the cells. The church with the patron Sfintii Petru si Paul is considered a simplified copy of the Trei Ierarhi Church. It has stone caved squares at windows and doors. The ruler’s house – Casa Domneasca shelters the art collection of the monastery (icons, silver wave and pieces of furniture, manuscripts).
- Galata Monastery – Monastery with the patron Inaltarea Domnului, constructed by Petru Schiopu, on the hill with the same name from the south of Iasi. In the first reign 1574-1579, the ruler constructed the Galata Monastery “from the valley” finished in 1579, that collapsed after short time because of a landfall. After the battle from Bogdanesti (1582) he asked the construction of the church on a higher plateau and in 1584 was finished. Surrounded by walls of stone, with a tower-spire at the main gate, the court sheltered the ruler’s house, the cells, the priory. In the yard was exposed the spire gifted by Petru Shiopu in 1579 to the monastery “from the valley”
- Bojdeuca lui Ion Creanga – the house where Ion Creanga lived from Valea Plangerii, Ticau Street, is connected with the life and the literary activity of the great teller. Here, in the fall of the year 1876, Creanga brought a special guest – Badita Mihai Creanga and he entertained him with sayings and stories, and the poet was laughing and always advice him to write more. At Bojdeuca from Tacau was founded in 1918 the first Memorial Museum, as a homage brought to the two great writers: Ion Creanga and Mihai Eminescu. In 1989 at the centenary of the death of the writer, was constructed another building where is the documentary exhibit. Also, in the yard of Bojdeuca is the granite bust of Ion Creanga, and in front of the crib is the statue of the writer, where Ion Creanga is represented with his face turned to the Bojdeuca, holding the shoulders of two children.
- Copou Garden -the first documents that attest the hunting reservation from Copou date from the leading of Vasile Lupu. In 1883 the garden is laid on the place of the former post office and is surrounded by a stone wall. Mihalache Sturza buys the land and arranges the park in the style of the English reservations. Since then Copou became a place of recreation for the people who live in Iasi. In the middle of the garden is “Obeliscul cu lei” or the Pyramid of the lions. The pedestal of the monument is from only one stone, brought from Scheia quarry. The monument was finished in 1840. The lime from the Copou Garden is a legend, known under the name of “the lime of Eminescu”. In january 1984, near “The lime of Eminescu” opened a museum, a special homage brought to the paragon of Romanian poetry.
- The house Vasile Pogor –built in 1850 by Vasile Pogor is known also under the name of “The house with lightened windows” (because was one of the first houses illuminated with electricity). Here the members from the Junimea Society – who’s publication was “Convorbiri Literare”- were meeting. Today is the center of the Museum of Romanian Literature from Iasi, inaugurated at the 26th of December, 1972.
- The Monument of Mihai Eminescu – staturay group made of bronze, built in 1929, at Ateneul Popular Toma Cozma, the author being a Czech sculptor. Placed on a massive pedestal, decorated with inscriptions and bas-reliefs, the statue of the poet is supported by the figures of the Philosophy and the Poetry.
- The statue of Stefan cel Mare – in 1856, Teodor Bals sustained the idea of constructing in front of the Court a bronze monument decored with bas-reliefs, to be executed outside the country by a famous artist. The documentation made by Gh. Asachi was send to the French sculptor Emmanuel Fremiet. It was finished in may 1881 and in June, the 5th 1883 was uncovered. After the official speeches followed the parade of military units. Mihai Eminescu assisted at the festivities as well.
Besides of those reminded above, Iasi is embellished by many other statues and monuments such as: – the Ferentz’s Cross from Nicolina, constructed on the place where the Austrians that came in Moldavia in 1712 for defending it , were killed;- the bust of Gavril Musicescu from the garden of the metropolitan church;- the statue of Gh. Asachi;- the statues of Miron Costin and Vasile Alecsandri, near the National Theatre;- the statues of M Kogalniceanu and A.D. Xenopol, both in front of the University; -the busts of Vironica Micle and Octav Bancila from Copou Garden.
Among the museums we remind the Museum of natural history, the oldest museum from Iasi, which presents to the great public a rich collection of fauna, local or exotic, the botanic Garden-flora.
Besides the Bojdeuca from Ticau, various houses remind the life of different personalities of the Romanian culture or the science: the villa of the poet Mihai Codreanu, the house of Otilia Cazimir, the house of G. Toparceanu and of Vasile Alecsandri; the house of M. Kogalniceanu; the house where Emil Racovita born, the house of A.D. Xenopol.
Trough the discovery of mineral waters at Nicolina, Iasi became also a balneary locality, looked for treating the rheumatism, because of the beneficent mud.
At Iasi was founded the first University in the country (1860) and here were the first beginnings of the superior technical education, a long time before the official establishment of the University, as well as Academia Mihaileana, the first Romanian institution for superior education (1835).
More Photos with Iasi County
We can organize Tours that include - Iasi County.
So do not hesitate to Contact Us if you want to visit them, or take a look in the Tours page and for sure you’ll find an interesting tour.
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