Three Hierarchs Monastery | Iasi

Physical & Material Composition

The Monastery of the Three Holy Hierarchs is a religious complex primarily distinguished by its central church, constructed between 1637 and 1639. The exterior walls are entirely covered in intricate stone carvings, executed in 30 distinct friezes that blend Caucasian, Ottoman, Byzantine, and Gothic motifs. These carvings were originally gilded with gold leaf, traces of which were documented during 19th-century restorations.

The building follows a trilobate floor plan with two octagonal towers rising above the nave and the pronaos. The structural masonry utilizes limestone blocks and mortar, with the exterior carvings executed in soft sandstone to allow for deep relief. The interior contains a gilded iconostasis and the royal tombs of Prince Vasile Lupu and Prince Dimitrie Cantemir.

Geographical Coordinates

The monastery is located at Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt 28, Iași, Romania. Precise global positioning is recorded at 47°09′43″N latitude and 27°35′05″E longitude. The site is situated on the main plateau of the historical city center.

The landmark is positioned 200 meters south of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași. It lies 350 meters north of the Palace of Culture. The eastern boundary of the monastery grounds faces the Iași City Hall across the main pedestrian boulevard.

Access Logistics

Pedestrian entry is facilitated through the main gate on Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt, which is a restricted vehicular zone. The monastery courtyard is level, consisting of paved stone walkways and grass sections. Entry to the church requires ascending three stone steps at the western portal.

The site is served by tram lines 1, 7, 9, and 13 at the "Piața Unirii" or "Târgu Cucu" stops, located within a 500-meter radius. STB bus line 28 stops at "Palatul Culturii," approximately 300 meters to the south. Public parking is available in the metered lot behind the National Theatre "Vasile Alecsandri," 400 meters to the northwest.

Historical Markers

Prince Vasile Lupu founded the monastery in 1637, dedicating it to the Three Holy Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. In 1641, the relics of Saint Parascheva were brought here from Constantinople and remained until 1889. The site hosted the first printing press in Moldavia, established by Metropolitan Varlaam in 1640.

The structure underwent a major reconstruction between 1882 and 1904 under the direction of French architect André Lecomte du Noüy. During this period, the original interior frescoes were removed and replaced with the current painting. The monastery was included on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1991.

Insider Observation

A specific 20cm segment of the third horizontal frieze on the southern facade contains a carving of a stylized peacock, where the stone pores are notably larger due to localized wind erosion. On the base of the northern tower, a 5cm iron bracket remains from the 19th-century scaffolding used during the Lecomte du Noüy restoration.

The bronze main door features a 2cm relief of a cross where the edges show visible smoothing from physical contact over three centuries. A specific 15cm stone block on the eastern apse exhibits a different mineral hue, indicating a 20th-century replacement of a damaged carving. The shaded mortar joints on the lower northern wall host the moss species Grimmia pulvinata.

Surrounding Environmental Context

The monastery is flanked to the north by the Catholic Cathedral of Iași and to the south by the "Dosoftei House," a 17th-century masonry building. The western perimeter borders the main pedestrian promenade of the city. To the east, the grounds are separated from residential blocks by a stone and wrought-iron fence.

Vegetation within the courtyard includes managed specimens of Thuja occidentalis and seasonal Rosa (rose) bushes. Local infrastructure includes the nearby "Gothic Hall," which houses a religious museum and vestments. The site is 1 kilometer west of the Iași Railway Station.