Situated in the north east of Romania, Iasi is considered to be one of the most important seats of culture in the country and in this part of Europe. With the dark ages of history left far behind, modern Iasi welcomes its visitors with the beauty of the local surroundings and the spectre of modern development. Like many other places in Europe, Iasi is a city where you simultaneously experience past and present, without being at a loss of which to choose.
Many tourists who visit this part of Romania are amazed by the sheer atmosphere of spirituality that captures them at the entrance of the Moldavian realm. They feel like in a different, somehow purified world. Iasi is no exception, with seven monasteries within its boundaries, and forty churches, this city deserves the name of Romania’s cultural capital. Seat to the historic rulers for centuries, Iasi bears the traces of centuries in its buildings, walls, bridges and museums.
One of the city’s highlights is the neo-Gothic Palace of Culture, a focal point of attraction for tourists. Once you go there, you realize you’re in for an unique experience of the past. The Palace houses no less than four museums, among which the most famous are The Art Museum and the Moldavian History Museum. They house not only great art collections, but some of the earliest traces of civilization in Europe. It may even take you a whole day to see and cherish it all.
Iasi saw the appearance of the first books in Romanian, as early as the 16th century, an unusual event given the fact that most of the writing was done in Slavonic. No wonder the city now boasts with the oldest public university in Romania. If you visit Iasi during the academic year, you’ll see what a popular student town it is. The city’s gardens called Copou cover the very centre of Iasi from where most sights are within close reach.
Many tourists coming to Iasi from various parts of the world are absolutely thrilled about the unique architectural features of the many monasteries and churches. Let’s have a look for instance at the Saint Nicholas church; built in the Christian Orthodox style, it is the first church with external painted walls, that influenced the style of all the other monasteries in Bucovina – the north of Moldavia.
Then there is the Trei Ierarhi church built in the 17th century with an extraordinary carved stone facade, a fine example of the Romanian cultural and spiritual survival during centuries of resistance to political persecution. But you can really feel the city’s flavour in the numerous 19th century buildings like Traian Hotel, designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel (the creator of the Eiffel Tower in Paris). Given the heavy historic and cultural charge, no wonder there are statues at almost every street corner.
As for entertainment, Iasi has a rich variety of festivals and cultural activities to charm its visitors. The National Theatre has one of the finest halls in Europe; designed by Viennese architects, the Theatre houses modern art representations and a variety of concerts. Live music can also be enjoyed in open street performances in summer time when Iasi is the home for several folk art festivals.
If you happen to visit Iasi at this time, don’t leave without buying some traditional pottery decorative items. They make a splendid gift and souvenir. One other thing you may fall in love with in Iasi, is the traditional food. Among the must-try dishes I’d recommend sarmale (chopped meat with spices rolled in cabbage leaves and baked) usually served with mamaliguta (some kind of local corn porridge). As for other dishes, get the house specialty, you won’t be disappointed!