St. Three Hierarchs Monastery, Iași, IS

An unmistakable monument, the St. Three Hierarchs Monastery is located right in the center of Iași Municipality, on Ştefan cel Mare Boulevard, formerly known as Ulița Domnească. It is one of the most beautiful and impressive monuments of feudal art in our country, perhaps even in the world.

Desiring to erect a sumptuous foundation, unparalleled in Moldova, Voivode Vasile Lupu built, between 1637 and 1639, the monastery that reflects his aspiration towards the Byzantine world. The ensemble included the church, the Gothic hall, as well as the abbot's houses, the bell tower, and the printing house.

Over time, the monastery complex has suffered greatly. Between 1882-1904, it was significantly restored under the coordination of the French architect André Lecomte du Noüy. From the old buildings, only the church and the Gothic hall have survived to this day. Here are deposited the remains of the founder's family and of the rulers Dimitrie Cantemir and Alexandru Ioan Cuza, the first ruler of the United Principalities.

At the St. Three Hierarchs Monastery, a cultural center of Moldova, Metropolitan Varlaam, a great scholar, wanted to establish a school and a printing house for works in the Romanian language. One of the most important printed works was Vasile Lupu's Code of Laws, the first anthology of Moldova's laws, and in 1634, the Vasilian Academy was founded, a higher education institution headquartered in the Three Hierarchs Church.

In the tumultuous history of medieval Moldova, after notable periods of reigns such as those of Ștefan cel Mare and Petru Rareș, culture and civilization entered a phase of stagnation that lasted almost a century. All the more remarkable now seems the reign of Vasile Lupu, who, benefiting from fabulous wealth, actively involved himself in the political and religious affairs of the region.

The church went through turbulent periods, being plundered and burned twice in the 17th century, as well as severely damaged by a series of earthquakes in the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th century. As a result, restoration of the place of worship began in 1882, and its re-consecration took place in 1904, under the reign of King Carol I.

It's worth reaching Iași, as only here will you find a church-school with historical and spiritual significance like the one in the heart of Moldova!

And since you've arrived in Iași, we suggest you visit other remarkable tourist attractions hosted by the city in Moldova.

The Metropolitan Cathedral, the Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden, and the Yellow Ravine or Elisabeta Esplanade are attractions you shouldn't miss.

Also, if you're passionate about culture, you can stop by the Vasile Alecsandri National Theater, the Palace of Culture, or Ion Creangă's Bojdeuca.