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IASI
- A HIDDEN URBAN SECRET
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IASI,
the vibrating city is often named "the lovely
borough of Iasi" due to its laid back atmosphere,
unique in the whole country.
Iasi is located in the north-eastern part of
Romania, a 7 hour journey by train from Bucharest.
It’s situated in a region with hills and plateaus, an
area where the new is interwoven with the old.
Iasi is a student city full of life, displaying a
generous offer of clubs, restaurants, coffee shops,
bars, parks, but, at the same time, a city with a
thrilling cultural life and a rich history.
Do you fancy traditional Romanian cuisine?
Tasting delicious Romanian wines?
Listening to some traditional Romanian music?
International cuisine?
Iasi is your place!
Iasi is
known as Romania's spiritual capital.Iasi ranks
second after Bucharest
in point of number of
students but it is the oldest university centre of the country.
The status of
important cultural centre is rendered by numerous cultural
establishments: three theatres among which the "Vasile
Alecsandri" National Theatre dating back to 1894-1896, 16
Museums and memorial houses, including the oldest in the country:
Ion Creanga's Hovel, 267 libraries etc.
Iasi is also
considered to be first "museum-town" of Romania boasting
120 places of tourist interest among which the oldest religious
monument: the Princely St. Nicholas Church founded by Stephen the
Great (1491-1492) and the famous "Trei Ierarhi/ Three
Hierarchs Church", entirely carved in stone, founded by
Vasile Lupu between 1638 and 1639. The Dosoftei House is the
oldest lay monument. The first printing house in Moldavia
functioned there in 1679.
BRIEF
HISTORY OF IASI CITY
Forced to suffer the wild
attacks of migratory people for a long time, the Romanians
constituted themselves into independent states in the 14th century
by uniting the existent pre-state territories. Although historic
circumstances prevented the forming of a unique Romanian state for
a long time there have always existed common origins, traditions
and customs, a unitary geographic frame and community of language.
In 1859, as a result of an immense internal effort and a
favorable external context, the Union of Moldova and Wallachia was
achieved by the election of Alexandru loan Cuza as Prince of both
states. "The Small Union" was consolidated by a
reforming work which brought the newly formed state closer to
Europe and enabled it to make itself known in external affairs.
Iasi was the city that made the first steps towards the
unification.
The decisive step towards the constituting of the Romanian Unitary
National State was taken during the year 1918. By uniting all the
Romanian territories some of which had been under foreign rule:
Basarabia, Bucovina, Banat and Transilvania, the Great Union was
accomplished in Alba lulia on December 1st, 1918. Iasi was the
Center for resistance during the World War I. Here was initiated
the Great Union.
Thoroughly European, Romania has given the world cultural
patrimony great personalities: the scholar Dimitrie Cantemir, the
sculptor Constantin Brancusi, the musician George Enescu, the
inventor Henri Coandă, the diplomat Nicolae Titulescu, the
historian Nicolae lorga, the dramatist Eugen lonescu, the
historian Mircea Eliade, the mathematician Grigore Moisil. Many of
them have their lives strongly related to Iasi City.
Iasi City which was the capital of the historic Country of
Moldova (Romanian province of Moldova and the actual Moldova
Republic) and was Romania's first capital (from 1859-1862).
The county's history records periods of vicissitudes and times of
glory recalled by many monuments and vestiges. Iasi - "the
town of the seven hills", is attested in the 15th century act
issued by Prince Alexandru cel Bun (1400 - 1432) granting it
commercial privileges, but the history of Iasi area goes back to
the beginnings of this millennium. Archaelogical investigations
carried on in Cucuteni village have revealed one of the most
brilliant Neolithic cultures in Europe, the famous Cucuteni
Culture (millennium 3 - 2 BC), Baiceni - Mlada (3 rd - 2 nd c. B.C.),
Dumbrava (1st - 2nd c. A.D.), and Iasi - Nicolina (dating from the
Iron Age and the 4th - 12 th c. A.D.). Having a leading position
in Romania' s economy , the development of Iasi town is connected
with its very good geographical location at the crossing of old
commercial ways.
First was the Neo-Gothic Palace of Culture, one of Iasi's most
recognizable and charming buildings. It sits on a promontory above
the river terrace and serves as a visual reference point for
central Iasi. It was completed in the 1920s as a government
administration building, but it is now home to four museums.
Grand but not grandiose, the Palace of Culture is indeed a prime
element of Iasi's skyline, and its image as a city of culture.
Along Stefan cel Mare is the Church of the Three Hierarchs, the
most distinctive church in Iasi. It was completed in the 1630s,
and its exterior of patterned stone carving was once layered in
gold. It now provides the resting place for the crypts of
Alexandru Ioan Cuza (the prince who unified Wallachia and Romania
in 1859) and Dimitrie Cantemir, the last native Moldavian Prince
before the period of Phanariot Greek rule under the Ottomans
(1711-1824).
Further up the street is the much larger but less distinctive
Metropolitan Cathedral, built in the 1830s as the seat of the
Orthodox clergy in Moldavia. As such, the Cathedral hosts the
relics of St. Paraschiva, the patron saint of Moldavia.
The "Alexandru Ion Cuza" University of Iasi was
founded in 1860 and was Romania's first modern university. It is
named after the prince who united Wallachia and Moldavia into the
state of Romania in 1859. In fact, Iasi was Romania's first
capital (from 1859-1862), and Bucharest outpaced Iasi as the
center of Romanian political life only after Cuza was deposed by
the boyars in 1866. Iasi therefore has a certain prestige as a
center both of Romanian nationalism and Romanian culture, as
reflected in education and literature.
The university is situated on Copou, one of the most prominent of
Iasi's several hills. The old town center, the business district,
and the industrial area are all down below, on the terrace of the
Bahlui river. Copou is not as steep, but the nicest residential
area is there. Also, there are parks, a botanical garden, and the
city stadium.
Tall trees line Copou Boulevard, creating a passage of green up
and down the street (at least before the leaves fall). In the
downtown area, the visual passage is mostly stone, brick, and
concrete--most buildings along the major streets are four or five
stories high.
GEOGRAPHICAL
BACKGROUND
The relief of
the Iasi county is hilly. In the central and north-eastern part,
an about a half of the surface of the county, there are hills
and low inter-river plateaus drained by the rivers Jijia and
Bahlui, with slopes subjected to sliding and meadows. The
western side is dominated by hilly tops and plateaus with
heights of over 400 meters. The southern part has a high and
massive relief with altitudes of 350-450 meters, drained by the
rivulets of the Prut and Birlad rivers.
The climate is highly temperate and continental with
temperatures varying between -30 Celsius degree and +40 Celsius
degrees and an average rainfall of 500 and 600 mm per year and
regular eastern winds.
The hydrographic system is formed by rivers of various sizes (Bahlui,
Jijia, the low course of the Moldova, Miletin, Vaslui.) which
flow into the middle sectors of the rivers Prut and Siret. There
is a large number of lakes and ponds, with a total surface of
4300 hectares, and an accumulation capacity of over 100 million
cubic meters at a normal storage level.
With a great scientific and tourist interest is the geological
and florist natural reservation on Repedea Hill.
TOURISM
AND CULTURE
There are towns or cities which have a real vocation for history.
Iasi, the former capital of Moldavia, is one of them.
Archaelogical investigations attest the presence of human
communities on the present territory of the city and around it as
far back as the prehistoric age. But the beginnings of urban life
in lasi are to be found in the second half of the 14th century,
the name of the city being mentioned for the first time in a
document about commercial privilege granted by the Moldavian ruler
Alexandru cel Bun to the Polish merchants of Lvov in 1408.
Major events in the political and cultural history of Moldova
are connected with the name of the city of Iasi. Thus it is here
that we can trace the roots of the Romanian national
historiography. The great scholars of the 17th century - "the
golden age" of Romanian culture - namely Grigore Ureche,
Miron Costin and later Ion Neculce, wrote most of their works in
the city or not far from it and the great European fame scholar
Dimitrie Cantemir also linked his name to the capital of
Moldova.
With a patrimony comprising many archaeological sites, memorial
houses remaining of Romanian great writers such as Eminescu,
Creanga, Alecsandri, Sadoveanu, about 6900 historical; and
architectural monuments, precious vestiges of Romanian culture
and civilization, the county of Iasi is considered a
"museum" county in Romania.
The rich cultural and artistic patrimony of the Iasi county, the
large and diversified folklore and ethnographic treasure,
natural reservation and resources (Repedea, Valea Lunga, mineral
springs in Nicolina, Strunga etc.), the famous vineyards in
Cotnari ( the 14th century) as well as its position of a railway
junction have favored sustained tourist activity with many
possibilities of optimization and diversification.
For the time being there are over 40 hotels and motels spread
all over the county.
Among the numerous cultural and modern art monuments in the Iasi
City, the tourists are attracted first of all by the National
Museum Complex hosted by the Palace of Culture, a impressive
building constructed on the ruins of the Princely Court, in a
new Gothic style at the beginning of our century. The National
Museum Complex comprises the Art Museum, History Museum, Moldova
Ethnographic Museum and The Polytechnic Museum, which are unique
in Romania. This Complex, together with its numerous branches,
houses and places connected with the name of great Romanian
people, contains extremely valuable treasures of Romanian
culture and civilization.
Other museums are worth mentioning: The Union Museum -situated
in the building of the last King residence, The Natural History
Museum, The Theater Museum, The Romanian Literature Museum,
Dosoftei`s House, The National Theater " Vasile Alecsandri",
very old churches such as Trei Ierarhi (Three Hierarchies),
Golia, Galata etc.
Of a great artistic value are the historical monuments such as:
The Palace of " Al. I. Cuza" in Ruginoasa, The
Memorial House of Vasile Alecsandri in Mircesti, The
Archeological Site of Neolithic Civilization in Cucuteni (4-3rd
cent. B.C.), the ruins of The Princely Court and Dacian Fortress
in Cotnari and many others.
EDUCATION
Starting with the 17th century, Iasi has been recognized as being
the most important cultural Center of Romania due to existence
here of the old Vasilian Academy, and the High School of Slavonic
and Greek languages, the first printing press and many other
vestiges.
The residential city of the Iasi county is Iasi City, one of the
oldest cities of Romania was the City of the first Romanian
University (1860) and the first Engineering High School (1814).
Thus, it holds the reputation of a "spiritual and cultural
capital of Romania".
The education in the county of Iasi refers to over 150,000 pupils
in about 500 primary schools, 36 lyceums of general and special
schools with over 10,000 teachers.
The constant development of higher education system are making
Iasi as the most important Higher Education Centre, after
Bucharest.
In the city of
Iasi there are 7 universities with over 40,000 students and 4,000
didactic stuff (The University "Al. I .Cuza", Technical
University "Gh. Asachi", The University of Medicine and
Pharmacy, Agronomic University "Ion Ionescu de la Brad",
The Academy of Fine Arts "George Enescu", Orthodox
Theological Institute, Catholic Theological Institute).
MAIN
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN IASI
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The
Palace of Culture – a Neogothical building, dating from the
beginning of the 20th century, including in its 367
chambers four large museums and a library;
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The
vestiges of the Old Royal Court – the oldest construction of
this kind in Moldavia;
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The
Mitropoltan Cathedral – built between years 1840-1880,
in a baroque and neoclassical architectural style, the largest
Orthodox church in Romania
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“Trei
Ierarhi” Church – once
covered with gold;
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The
National Theater – one of the most beautiful bulidings in
Romania, displaying a Baroque style;
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Copou
Area – comprising the University (the
oldest Romanian university), parks and the largest Botanical
Garden in Romania;
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Cotnary
vineyards –from 15th century,
wine tasting of the most fampus types of wine Grasa
de Cotnari, Feteasca, Tamâioasa Româneasca, Francoa ;
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Galata,
Golia, Cetatuia Monasteries;
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An
exciting night life – lots of clubs anf good restaurants;
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The most
friendly and open people in Romania!
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| Trei
Sarmale | Traditonal Romania Cusisine, wine cellar
|Tel: 23.72.55; |
| Bolta
rece | Wine cellar, restaurant; Moldavian cuisine|
Phone: 21.22.55 |
| Casa
Billius | French menu | Phone: 21.80.85; 0788.48.12.74 |
| Sinbad
| Lebanese menu | Phone: 26.11.19 |
| Majestic
| Restaurant & Pub | Phone: 27.73.77 |
| Casa
Lavric | Phone: 22.99.60; 0740.22.99.60 |
| Casa
Pogor | Phone: 24.30.06 |
| lubul
Bursei | Romanian and International cuisine | Phone:
27.09.04 |
| Casa
Universitarilor | Phone: 26.40.53 |
| Aad's
Palace | Dutch menu | Phone: 27.43.74 |
| Bamboo
Chinese | Chinese Restaurant |Phone: 22.77.55;
22.70.00 |
| Ginger
Pub | Irish Restaurant | Phone: 27.60.17 |
| Barbarosa
| Fish specialities | Phone: 23.26.18 |
| Caraffa
| Mexican, Italian and Romanian plates | Phone:
26.26.26 |
| Club
RS | Romanian, Greek, Mexican cuisine | Phone:
21.30.60 |
| Dragon
| Chinise Cuisine | Phone: 26.20.37 |
| He
Nan | Chinise Cuisine | Phone: 24.91.27;\ |
| Ianny's
| Greek Restaurant | Phone: 0740.33.12.59 |
| La
Cao | Chinese Restaurant | Phone: 0232 240145 |
| Mariachi
| Mexican Cuisine | |
| Souflaki
| Greek Cuisine | Phone: 26.25.28; |
| Sultan
| Arab Cuisine | Phone: 27.72.77 |
A nice way
of spending lazy moldavian
afternoons and starting the evening - a boost of energy - is
do drop by one of the many bars and coffee shops
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| Time
Out | Phone: 23.22.73 |
| The
Tavern with Phantoms | Phone: 0740.75.14.89 |
| Corso
| Phone: 27.61.43 |
| No.
8 Caffe | Phone: 23.15.12 |
| Palace
Cafe | Phone: 0740.60.59.20 |
| Quinta
Cafe | Phone: 26.84.47 |
| Boema
Cafe | Phone: 21.07.15 |
| Arte
Cafe | Phone: 0746.45.00.85 |
| Belfast
Pub | Phone: 0742.51.91.96 |
| Best
Club | Rock & blues, billiards | Phone: 21.36.43 |
| Bistro
Rimini | Phone: 22.07.88 |
| Bourbon
House | Phone: 21.56.65 |
| Cafe
del Paradisio | Phone: 0744.40.92.41; |
| Club
Catacomba | Bbar, billiards) | Phone: 0742.28.07.05; |
| Club
Motor | Bar, billiards | Phone: 27.97.00 |
| Club
OK | Tel: 27.88.10 |
| Coffee
Break |
| Coffein
| Phone: 21.07.55 |
| Deja
Vue | Phone: 0788.38.00.70; |
| Ethos
| Phone: 0741.08.02.72; |
| Finley
| Phone: 0332.80.09.50; |
| Ginger
Pub | Irish Pub | Phone: 27.60.17 |
| Golfo
di Napoli | Phone: 41.51.14 |
| La
Boieri | Phone: 26.80.01 |
| Lady
in Red | Phone: 0741.49.64.76 |
| London
Pub | Phone: 21.17.67 |
| Old
Time Café | Bar, billiards | Phone: 21.28.80 |
| Pasadena
| FAST FOOD & COCKTAIL BAR | Phone: 27.47.32 |
| Pasticceria
Montecatini | Phone: 20.85.50; |
| Piano
Club | Phone: 21.92.90 |
| Pub
25 | Phone: 21.04.42 |
| Pub
Cheyenne | Phone: 0724.38.13.99 |
| Puerto
Rico Cafe |
| Stud
Bar | Phone: 0743.57.43.46 |
| Wanted
| Phone: 0743.09.49.94 |
| White
Nights | Phone: 27.89.49 |
Do you
feel like dancing? Listening to good music - international
and Romanian?
What about meeting some friendly locals? There are thousands
of students in this city that never sleeps!
| NIGHTCLUBS |
| Night
Clubs Blackout | Phone: 0744.90.06.04 |
| Imperium
| Phone: 0743.80.37.00 |
| Versus
| Phone: 21.81.58; 0723.27.47.36 |
| Sundays
| Phone: 0743.57.43.46; |
| Viper
Club| Bowling, pool, bar | Phone: 20.86.59 XS
Phone: 0740.05.94.16 |
| Byblos
| Phone: 27.75.75; |
| Cafe
del Paradisio | Phone: 0744.40.92.41 |
| Club
Catacomba | bar, pool | Phone: 0742.28.07.05 |
| Club
Planet |
| Club
Rosu si Negru | Phone: 47.79.03 |
| Crazy
Horse | Phone: 0744.10.62.43 |
| Estudiantina
| Phone: 27.75.75 |
| Faraon
| Phone: 0788.38.00.70 |
| New
Office | Cocktail Bar | Phone: 24.45.46 |
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| HOTELS |
| Hotel
Europa****Str.
Anastasie Panu nr.26 Phone: 0232-24.20.00 |
| Hotel
Traian****Piata
Unirii nr.1 Phone: 0232-26.66.66 |
| Hotel
Moldova***Str.
Anastasie Panu nr.29 Phone: 0232-26.02.40 |
| Hotel
Astoria***Str. Lapusneanu, nr.1. Phone: 0232-23.38.88 |
| Hotel
Unirea***Piata
Unirii nr.5 Phone:0232-20.50.00 |
| Hotel
Amadeo***Sos.
Ungheni nr.2 Phone:0232-27.06.31 |
| Hotel
Orizont**Str.
Grigore Ureche nr.27 Phone: 0232-21.50.37 |
| Hotel
Continental*Str.
Cuza-Voda nr.4 Phone: 0232-21.18.46 |
| Hotel
links: |
http://www.hoteluri.iasi.tourneo.ro
http://www.camerehotel.ro/rezervari/Iasi.html |
As far as Chisinau and the Republic of Moldova is regarded, there
are some Moldavian travel agencies that organize trips in Moldavia.
It takes 3
- 4 hours to get from Iasi to Chisinau, by bus or by train. Please
note that the oficial relationship between Romania and the
Republic has been seriously strained since the riots spring 2009
in Moldova. Please check any border crossing regulations that may
occur and disappear.
http://www.solei.md/en/tours_md/turulvinului
| The Wine Route
http://www.corina-travel.com/onas-eng.shtml
http://www.voiaj.md/incoming/en.html
SWIMMING
Hotel
Moldova
PAINTBALL
IN IASI
http://www.paintstrike.ro
paintstrike@gmail.com
Phone: 0745.50.50.49
http://www.paintstrike.ro
paintstrike@gmail.com
Phone: 0745.50.50.49
http://www.paintstrike.ro
paintstrike@gmail.com
Phone: 0745.50.50.49
CINEMAS
IN IASI:
Cinema Victoria
Cinema Republica
Glendale Multiplex Moldova Mall
LINKS
RAILWAY
STATION AND AIRPORT
-
The Railway
Station (Strada Garii 1)tel.: 215 600
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CFR Agency (Piata
Unirii 10) tel.: 242 570
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Airport (Str.
Moara de Vant 34 ) tel.: 271570
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TAROM ( Str.
Arcu 3-5) tel. :267768 | www.tarom.ro
by Raluca
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