Iași & the Moldavia Region
Iași (pronounced: "Yash") is the cultural capital of Romania and the largest city in the Moldavia region. With the country's oldest university (1860), magnificent churches, and a vibrant student scene, Iași is a city with intellectual flair and far fewer tourists than Brașov or Sibiu.
Sights in Iași
- Palace of Culture (Palatul Culturii) — A neo-Gothic monumental building (1925) at Piața Unirii, housing four museums under one roof: history, art, ethnography, and science. The facade is impressive, the interiors opulent. Admission: 25 RON (combined ticket).
- Monastery of the Three Hierarchs (Mănăstirea Trei Ierarhi) — The facade of this church (1639) is a masterpiece of stone carving: completely covered with geometric patterns of oriental delicacy. Unique worldwide. Free of charge.
- Copou Park & Eminescu's Linden Tree — The oldest public park in Romania. Under the famous linden tree, Mihai Eminescu, Romania's national poet, wrote his poems. A peaceful place in the midst of the student city.
- Metropolitan Cathedral — The largest Orthodox church in Romania (1886) with the relic of Saint Parascheva, to which hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock each October.
The Moldavia Region
The historical Moldavia (Moldova) — not to be confused with the Republic of Moldova (Moldavia) — is Romania's quietest, least visited region. Gentle hills, vineyards (the wine region Cotnari produces excellent Grasa white wine), monasteries, and a landscape reminiscent of Tuscany — without the tourists. From Iași, the Bukovina monasteries can be reached in 2–3 hours drive westward.
