Palace of Culture

The Palace of Culture is a symbol of Iaşi. It was built in Neo-Gothic style between 1906 and 1925, partly on the ruins of the old medieval princely court from the 15th century and partly on the foundation of another Neo-Classical princely palace built at the beginning of the 19th century and demolished in 1904, after a series of fires affected its structure. The Palace of Culture was inaugurated in 1926 in the presence of King Ferdinand I. The earthquake in 1940 and the German and Soviet occupation during World War II contributed to the decline of the palace, which underwent a series of renovations from 1975 until 1977, right before another big earthquake. Until 1955, it served as an administrative centre of the city, housing the courthouse, after that date being transformed into a museum.

The museum has impressive spire tower and pinnacles, as well as interiors decorated with mosaics, stained glass, a double staircase and valuable ornaments and furnishings, which make it an architectural masterpiece. Visitors enjoy the Gothic Hall, where they can see a mosaic representing a medieval “bestiarum” (dragons, griffins, two-headed eagles and lions) and the Voivodes’ Hall, which displays cameos with the figures of princes of Moldavia and kings of Romania. Inside the palace, you will also find collections belonging to “Moldova” National Museum Complex, which comprises four of the city’s museums: the Art Museum, the Science and Technology Museum, the Moldavian History Museum and the Ethnographic Museum.

At the moment the Palace of Culture is closed for renovation.

Photos by: www.proimage.ro