Iaşi, Romania

Iaşi is the capitol of the Moldavia region in Romania since 1565 and is on the border with Moldova. From 1859, Iasi served as the national capitol until it was replaced by Bucharest in1862. During WWI the seat of the Romanian government was briefly moved back to Iasi. King Ferdinand and Queen Marie also sought refuge here during the war. This illustrious history accounts for the city's great monasteries, tree-lined streets and parks, churches and museums. Iasi is Romania's third largest city.
Monastery
The Monks at this Monastery raise birds. There were so many including pheasants, peacocks and all kinds of chickens. I'm not sure why, but most of them had these red things nailed through their beaks. Sad. Maybe to keep them from staring straight ahead and fighting with the others.

Storyteller Ion Creangă was born in 1837 and became one of Romania's most popular children's writers. He died in 1889. He was renowned for his short stories based on Moldavian folklore. The picture below contains depictions from his stories. We visited his house and museum, which is dedicated to his life and works.

Cute kitty at Ion Creanga's house.

Statue of Ion CreangaCopou Park is famed for being a favorite spot of poet Mihai Eminescu (1850-89).
13m tall Monument of the Lions

Mihai Eminescu

Eminescu allegedly wrote some of his best works beneath his favorite linden tree in this park.Alexndru Ion Cuza UniversityMilitary Building

If there is an earthquake you better get away from this building!!

Monastery

Apartment Bloc next to the Cathedral. If you can see closely it is not finished.

National Theater

Smoking Kills!!!

The Metropolitan Cathedral that was built between 1833 and 1839. Inside the cathedral lies a coffin said to contain the bones of St. Friday.

Huge beautiful Mosaic

The Church of the Three Hierarchs built from 1637-39 is unique for its rich exterior which is covered in a wealth of intricate patterns in stone. The exterior was covered in gold in its original form. The church was built by Prince Vasile Lupu and his family, Prince Alexandru Ion Cuza and Prince Dimitrie Cantemir.

The Catholic Cathedral

National History Museum

The Princely St. Nicholas Church

Giant neo-Gothic Palace of Culture built from 1906-25, formerly the administration seat of the town. The palace was built on the ruins of the old princely court and some remains you can see under the floor. The building has 365 rooms and now includes 4 museums. Infront of the Palace there was a craft fair. This little girl is making traditional pottery.

Traditional wooden bowls

Traditional Pottery from 3 parts of the country

The equestrian statue of Stefan cel Mare from 1883.

Memorial to Iasi's heroes who died in 1989.The first handicap sign Ive seen in RomaniaOur Hotel

Voievodes Statuary. These fantastic, crumbling statues of Moldavia's princes were moved here from the university courtyard in 1960. In pairs stand Moldavia's first prince, Dragos (1352-53) and Alexandru cel Bun (1400-32); Moldavia's greatest prince, Stefan cel Mare (1457-1504), and Mihai Viteazul (1600); Petru Rares (1527-38) and Ion Voda cel Viteaz (1572-74); and Vasile Lupu (1634-53) abd Dimitrie Cantemir (1693).

The crest of Moldova

Piata Unirii. Bronze statue of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza who achieved the union of Wallachia and Moldavia. Wallachia is where I live in the south. The statue marks the spot where the Union Hora (traditional Romanian dance) was danced in 1859 to celebrate the amalgamation.

While Cristian and I were looking at this statue the colorful Roma came from behind begging.

Here is the conversation translated from Romanian:

Roma: Oh I give you wishes, give me money.
Cristian: No
Roma: Oh but I give you and your pregnant wife wishes, now give me a dollar.
Cristian: Thanks, but I'm still not giving you money.

DUMB FATTY!!!! So I have not worn that shirt since and probably never will!! It is one of the ones tight on top and then loose around the stomach. I guess they look like maternity wear.