The city of Iași is the administrative center of Iași County, located in the Moldavian Plain along the Bahlui River. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Romania. Iași was first mentioned in a commercial privilege issued in 1408 by Alexandru cel Bun, ruler of Moldavia. However, the existence of older buildings indicates that the city predates this official reference by several decades. Once the medieval capital of Moldavia, Iași also served briefly as Romania’s capital during World War I (1916-1918). Visitors hold the city dear for its rich history and unique charm.
Iași is home to Romania's oldest university, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University, a prestigious philharmonic orchestra, and one of the country’s most stunning theaters, the "Vasile Alecsandri" National Theater. The city center retains numerous iconic buildings from the pre-communist era, the most prominent being the Palace of Culture, designed in flamboyant Neo-Gothic style, which houses four museums, including the Ethnographic Museum, known for exhibits like traditional vegetable oil presses. Other notable landmarks include the "St. Nicholas" Church, built during the reign of Ștefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great), Golia Monastery, which blends Baroque and Byzantine styles, the Great Synagogue, Romania’s oldest Jewish place of worship, and Ion Creangă’s Bojdeuca, the humble home of the famous 19th-century writer.
Annual events and festivals in Iași include the "Cucuteni 5000" National Traditional Pottery Fair held in June at Copou Park, the Multicolor Festival celebrating music and film in open-air venues, the Azalea and Rose Exhibitions, the Lilac Festival, and the Fête de la Musique. Travel options to Iași include TAROM, Wizzair, Ryanair, Hisky flights or other ground transportation alternatives.
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