Copou Park | Iasi

Physical & Material Composition

The "Copou" Garden Click to open side panel for more information  is the oldest public park in Iași, covering approximately 10 hectares. The park's infrastructure consists of a central wide alley and a network of secondary gravel and asphalt pathways. The architectural focus is the Obelisk of Lions (Monument of the Constitutional Law), constructed from limestone blocks and standing 13.5 meters tall, featuring four stone lions at its base.

Constructed with a central symmetrical layout characteristic of 19th-century European public gardens.

Features the famous Eminescu’s Lime Tree, a silver lime (Tilia tomentosa) estimated to be over 500 years old, supported by metal braces and surrounded by a protective wrought-iron fence.

The park perimeter is defined by a low stone wall and decorative iron railings.

Geographical Coordinates

The park is located at Bulevardul Carol I nr. 31, Iași, 700462. Its precise coordinates are 47°17′55″N latitude and 27°34′03″E longitude. It is situated on the Copou Hill, the city's highest residential and cultural district.

Positioned approximately 1.5 kilometers north of Union Square (Piața Unirii).

Located directly across from the "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași.

Access Logistics

The garden is open 24 hours a day and is a primary pedestrian zone for the northern part of the city. Access is level through several gates along Bulevardul Carol I, making it fully accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Served by tram lines 1, 8, 9, and 13 at the "Parcul Copou" stop.

On-street parking is available along Bulevardul Carol I and adjacent side streets, though it can be limited during weekends.

Historical Markers

Established in 1834 during the reign of Prince Mihail Sturdza, it was the first regulated public space of its kind in Moldavia. The Obelisk of Lions, completed in 1841 by Gheorghe Asachi, is considered the oldest public monument in Romania. The park is deeply associated with the national poet Mihai Eminescu, who frequently sought inspiration under the ancient lime tree that now bears his name.

The "Eminescu Museum," a small pavilion dedicated to the poet's life and work, was opened within the park in 1989.

A "Bronze Alley" features busts of several prominent Romanian cultural figures, including Ion Creangă and Veronica Micle.

Insider Observation

Near the Obelisk of Lions, there is a specific drainage grate with a 19th-century cast-iron pattern that is often overlooked. Eminescu's Lime Tree is monitored by arborists using ultrasound tomographs to check for internal decay in its hollow trunk. During the blooming season in June, the scent of the Tilia trees is intense enough to be detected blocks away from the park entrance.

Surrounding Environmental Context

The park acts as a green lung for the university district, surrounded by academic institutions, historic villas, and student dormitories. It is adjacent to the "George Topîrceanu" Memorial House and a short walk from the Iași Botanical Garden.

The vegetation is dominated by mature linden, maple, and ash trees.

The area is a high-altitude plateau, providing a slightly cooler microclimate than the city center during summer months.