Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard
About Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard
Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard is the pedestrian axis of central Iași, between Piața Unirii and the Palace of Culture, about eight hundred metres long. The old town's main street, Ulița Mare, ran here, lined with churches, boyar houses and shops. After the great fire of 1827 the boyar families moved elsewhere and the street became a commercial artery. It was later straightened and widened in several stages, with demolitions. The name comes from the ruler Stephen the Great, whose equestrian statue was unveiled here in 1883. Since 2012 the boulevard has been redone as a pedestrian street, and the car-free zone has been extended gradually.
Buildings from different eras line its sides: the complex of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina, with the cathedral consecrated in 1887, Roznovanu Palace, today the seat of the City Hall, and the church of the Trei Ierarhi Monastery, from the 17th century. At its southern end the boulevard opens onto Piața Palatului, where the statue of Stephen the Great, by the French sculptor Emmanuel Frémiet, stands in front of the Palace of Culture.
What you can see
The walk from Piața Unirii towards the Palace of Culture passes the façade of Roznovanu Palace and the garden in front of it, with busts of writers and composers, the portico and clock towers of the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Trei Ierarhi church, its stone carved from base to eaves. Metropolitan Dosoftei's statue also stands on the pavement, and the silhouette of the Palace of Culture closes the view. Cafés, terraces and shops line the whole route, and a few old houses left from the former street stand among them.
The Christmas market
In winter the boulevard hosts Iași's Christmas market, organised by the City Hall. In recent editions, wooden huts decorated with lights have lined the pedestrian street between the City Hall and the Palace of Culture, with traditional products, crafts, mulled wine, pastries and food, and towards Strada I. C. Brătianu there has been a children's fair with a Ferris wheel. The street fills with fir trees covered in lights and tunnels of greenery, and a net of lights stretches over Piața Unirii. The market opens around 1 December, when the festive lights are switched on, and runs until early January.
Good to know
Towards Piața Unirii the pedestrian zone is being extended in stages, so traffic restrictions and works may appear on the stretch near the square. In December and at weekends, especially in the evening, the boulevard is very crowded.
- Roznovanu Palace, the seat of the City Hall, with its neoclassical façade and the garden in front.
- The Metropolitan Cathedral, consecrated in 1887, with a portico and two clock towers.
- The church of the Trei Ierarhi Monastery, from 1639, with façades of carved stone.
- The equestrian statue of Stephen the Great, unveiled in 1883, in front of the Palace of Culture.
- The Christmas market, with wooden huts and fir trees covered in lights along the pedestrian street.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the boulevard is right in the centre of Iași, ~1 km from Iași railway station and ~8 km from Iași Airport (~15 minutes, depending on traffic). Traffic is restricted in the centre; leave the car in a car park nearby, towards Piața Unirii or the Palace of Culture, and walk in.
Public transport: from Iași railway station you reach the Piața Unirii end in ~15 minutes on foot or by the city's public transport; from the airport, by taxi or city bus. From Piața Unirii, walk south along the boulevard to the Palace of Culture.
- Where to park
You cannot park on the pedestrian street. Spaces on the surrounding streets and the public car parks around Piața Unirii and the Palace of Culture are paid and fill up quickly in December and at weekends.
- Fees & discounts
Walking the boulevard and entering the Christmas market area are free; you pay only for food, drinks, products and the children's attractions. The Metropolis, the Palace of Culture and the museums nearby have their own rules and tickets.
- Rules
Enter the cathedral and the Trei Ierarhi church in modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) and quietly, without disturbing services. Flying a drone over the city centre requires permits. When the boulevard is crowded, especially during the market, watch out for pickpockets.
- Facilities
Cafés, restaurants and shops along the boulevard · benches and green areas along the sides · toilets in the venues · stone paving, uneven in places
Frequently asked questions about Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard
How much is a ticket to Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard?
Admission to Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard is free (the walk and the market). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard?
Opening hours at Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard take?
A visit to Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard takes about ½ – 1 hours (an easy stroll).
Can you visit Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard with kids?
Yes, Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard is suitable for children (pedestrianised, no cars).
Where can I park at Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard?
There is paid parking at Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard (central, paid). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard?
Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard is located at Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Boulevard, between Piața Unirii and the Palace of Culture, Iași, Iași County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard?
The best season for Ștefan cel Mare Boulevard: All year round (winter, Christmas market).
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