If you want to understand the spirit of this town, you must enter in its churches. Only a few ruins left from the old medieval town Iasi remained as a symbol of those times but - as an exception - the churches built between the 15th and 17th centuries. City of the Romanian book of knowledge, of the Princely Academies, of the first university in Romania, the Iasi city is the place where have met the confluences specific to Greek culture and the Slav culture, and also of the Armenian and the Jewish ones.
The superb expression of the cultural and artistic synthesis made in Iasi is the stone jewel called Three Hierarchs Church. Built between 1636-1639 the church of this monastery is till nowadays one of the most famous monument of Romanian medieval art, an architectural masterpiece already being a legend. Its founder is the Prince of Moldavia Vasile Lupu, a great lover of beauty, especially a great lover of faith. On the main entrance it is written in stone that "he builds this holy prayer", and indeed this church is a beautiful prayer carved in stone.
Metropolitan Orthodox Cathedral
This monumental building is among the biggest constructions of this type in Romania. The cathedral was built on the place of two old churches dated 15th and 17th century. The works began in 1833, after the plans made by the Viennese architects Johann and Gustav Freiwald. It was a break between 1841-1880 but then the Bishop of those times decided to start again working to the building. This time was selected a Romanian architect called Alexandru Orascu, who finished the construction in 1887. The cathedral was hallowed in the presence of King Carol I of Romania in the same year.
National Theatre of Iasi
A loved building by the people of Iasi and one of the most beautiful edifices in Romania, the National Theatre was built between 1894 – 1896 and decorated with rich Baroque ornaments. It has a splendid entrance hall, lovely stairs and an impressive ceiling. All these together make you enter in a fairy atmosphere, very elegant, stylish and luxurious.
Palace Rosseti – Roznovanu (City Hall)
This palace was built between 1800 – 1816 in a classical style. It was rebuilt in the fourth decade of 20th century and was bought by municipality for becoming the City Hall. You may notice the Western influences in its architecture, being considered as a model for old civilian buildings of Iasi. It is placed in the center part of the city, near Metropolitan Cathedral and National Theatre.
Cultural Palace
The Cultural Palace was built in neo-gothic style "flamboyand" between 1906 – 1926 for the King Carol I of Romania, being used as administrative palace and summer residence. The impressive construction has 365 rooms (one room for each day of the year). In the present, this palace is a huge museum containing four different museums inside. It is a beautiful place where people enjoy many cultural shows and art exhibitions. Recently became a favorite place for the rich old Romanian families who came from abroad to celebrate luxury weddings or organizing charity balls or events.
We invite you in Iasi, to better know it,
and to enter in a world which still preserves
a special perfume!
Pictures of Three Hierarchs and Metropolitan
Cathedral are copyrighted to Konstantin Klyagin
and to enter in a world which still preserves
a special perfume!
Pictures of Three Hierarchs and Metropolitan
Cathedral are copyrighted to Konstantin Klyagin