Romania: Iasi
Iasi is the second largest city in Romania and the capital of the region of Moldavia (not to be confused with the neighboring country of Moldova, although culturally they are nearly the same). Iasi was the capital of the sovereign Principality of Moldavia for nearly 300 years from 1564 to 1859 and briefly even the capital of Romania from 1916 to 1918, and to this date it’s considered the cultural capital of the country given its famous and oldest university. Iasi has been inhabited since the 6th century and it boasts many grand architectural treasures and prominent buildings. The grandest is without a doubt the Palace of Culture (next post). 1635 Three Hierarchs Monastery is simply stunning with intricate carvings on the walls, equally impressive is the 1564 ornate Golia Monastery, and of course the massive 1849 Metropolitan Cathedral (Romania is the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church. There are also 1657 Great Synagogue, 1395 Armenian Church, and several other monasteries and churches. Finally, other spectacular buildings include the National Theater, University, and several communism-era ugly grey boxes in the very center of the city – like Hotel Moldavia (butt-ugly but offering perhaps best location and views in the city).
