Iasi | Romania

Iași (pronounced Yash) is the spiritual and literary heart of Romania. Located in the northeast near the Moldovan border, it served as the capital of the Principality of Moldavia for three centuries and even as the temporary capital of Romania during WWI.

As of 2026, Iași has transformed into a major IT and Outsourcing hub, blending its massive student population with a rich, aristocratic history.

1. The Architectural Crown Jewel: Palace of Culture

This is the city's undisputed symbol. It is a massive Neo-Gothic edifice completed in 1925, built over the ruins of the medieval Princely Court.

The Four Museums: It houses the Moldavia National Museum Complex, including the Art Museum (Romania's oldest collection), History, Ethnography, and Science & Technology museums.

The Clock Tower: A guided tour up the tower offers a view of the eight-bell chime system and a panoramic look at the city’s skyline.

Palas Public Garden: Located right behind the palace, this modern urban park integrates high-end shopping, office buildings, and a beautifully landscaped green space with fountains.

2. The Literary Spirit: Copou Hill

If the Palace is the "brain" of Iași, Copou is its "soul." This is the academic district, home to the prestigious Alexandru Ioan Cuza University.

Copou Park: Romania's oldest public park. It is famous for Eminescu’s Linden Tree, a 500-year-old tree under which the national poet Mihai Eminescu supposedly wrote his best works.

Botanical Garden: The "Anastasie Fătu" Garden is the oldest and largest in Romania. It is particularly spectacular in autumn during the chrysanthemum exhibitions.

The "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University Library: Often voted one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, it looks like something straight out of Harry Potter.

3. "The City of a Hundred Churches"

Iași is deeply religious and a major pilgrimage site.

Metropolitan Cathedral: The largest Orthodox church in Romania, housing the relics of Saint Parascheva. Every October, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims descend on the city for her feast day.

Three Hierarchs Monastery: Unique for its exterior stone carvings-a "stone lace" that covers the entire building. It was originally gilded in gold and remains a UNESCO-worthy masterpiece of 17th-century art.

4. 2026 Economy & Infrastructure

Iași is currently one of the most dynamic cities in Eastern Europe.

The Tech Boom: With over 25,000 IT professionals, Iași has become a strategic hub for global companies like Amazon, Continental, and Oracle.

The A7 Highway (The Moldavia Motorway): As of 2026, major segments of this critical highway are opening, finally connecting Iași more efficiently to Bucharest and the rest of the country.

New Regional Emergency Hospital: A massive €500 million project currently under construction (scheduled for completion/operation phases starting in 2026-2027), aimed at making Iași a premier medical center for the entire North-East region.