Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași
About Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași
On Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt, between the Palace of Culture and Union Square, stands the main church of the Metropolis of Moldavia and Bukovina, dedicated to the Presentation of the Lord, Saint Parascheva and Saint George the Great Martyr. Two older churches stood on the same spot: the White Church, from the 15th century, and the Stratenia Church, from the 17th century. The new cathedral was decreed by a charter of Prince Ioan Sandu Sturdza in 1826, and work began in 1833 on the initiative of Metropolitan Veniamin Costachi.
The plans of the Viennese architects called for a huge central dome, in the Neoclassical style. In 1841, with the work almost finished, the dome and the central tower collapsed, and the building site was left abandoned for almost 40 years. Construction resumed in 1880, at the urging of Metropolitan Iosif Naniescu, following a design reworked by Alexandru Orăscu, who gave up the dome and covered the nave with four vaults resting on massive pilasters. The consecration took place on 23 April 1887, in the presence of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth, who are also counted among the founders. The building is 56.7 m long and almost 53 m high.
What you can see
The west front has a columned portico, two clock towers and, in the arch above the entrance, a mosaic of the Presentation of the Lord. Inside, the walls are covered with the painted panels of Gheorghe Tattarescu, with Renaissance influences, and at the end of the nave rises the gilded iconostasis; the large stained-glass windows were a gift from King Carol I. The reliquary of Saint Parascheva, brought here in 1889 from the Trei Ierarhi Monastery, stands under a canopy inside, and worshippers file past it all day. The basement houses the Metropolitan Museum, with old church objects, themed rooms and a gallery that runs around the cathedral's foundations.
Good to know
The feast of Saint Parascheva, on 14 October, brings the largest pilgrimage in the country: in the days before, the reliquary is taken out to a canopy in the courtyard, and the queue stretches for kilometres through the city. In 2026 the reliquary stood outside from 8 to 15 October, and the wait reached 18 hours. Since January 2026 the cathedral has had a 30-month, EU-funded restoration project, so some areas may be under works. It is a working cathedral, with services every day.
Information verified on 20 October 2026.
- The reliquary of Saint Parascheva, under the canopy inside the cathedral.
- The panels painted by Gheorghe Tattarescu, with Renaissance influences, on the walls of the nave.
- The gilded iconostasis, as tall as the walls, with a curtain about 3 m high behind the Royal Doors.
- The mosaic of the Presentation of the Lord in the arch above the entrance, between the two clock towers.
- The Metropolitan Museum in the basement, with the “Way of the Cross” gallery along the cathedral's foundations.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the cathedral is in the centre of Iași, on Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt, about 500 m from the Palace of Culture. Bucharest is ~400 km away (5–6 hours on the A7 and DN2 via Buzău and Bacău), Bacău ~130 km (~2 hours via Roman, on the DN2 and DN28), Suceava ~145 km (~2 hours 30 minutes via Pașcani).
Public transport: Iași railway station is ~1.5 km away (~20 minutes on foot). Trams and buses in the centre stop at Union Square and at the Palace of Culture, both a 5–10 minute walk from the cathedral.
- Where to park
There is no published car park for visitors. Park on the streets of the centre, in the paid zone, or in the underground car park of the Palas complex, about 10 minutes' walk away. Around the October feast, parking in the centre becomes almost impossible: come by public transport.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the cathedral is free. Metropolitan Museum (prices valid since 1 June 2022): 5 lei adults, 3 lei pupils and students, 1 leu seniors; free for accompanied children up to 7 and for people with disabilities and their companion. Audio guide 5 lei, guided tour 20 lei in Romanian and 50 lei in English or French. Candles and prayer lists are paid for at the church shop, as you wish.
- Rules
This is a working cathedral: modest dress (shoulders and knees covered, men bareheaded), quiet, no food or drink. At the reliquary you queue and pass one at a time, without long stops. Do not take photos during services; at other times, ask whether photos are allowed inside.
- Facilities
church shop with candles and religious items · Metropolitan Museum in the basement, with audio guide · toilets for tourists and a tourist information point within the ensemble · access ramps for people with disabilities · cafés and restaurants on the boulevard, a few steps away · good mobile signal
Frequently asked questions about Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași
- How much is a ticket to Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași?
- Admission to Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași is free (basement museum: 5 lei). Entry to the cathedral is free. Metropolitan Museum (prices valid since 1 June 2022): 5 lei adults, 3 lei pupils and students, 1 leu seniors; free for accompanied children up to 7 and for people with disabilities and their companion. Audio guide 5 lei, guided tour 20 lei in Romanian and 50 lei in English or French. Candles and prayer lists are paid for at the church shop, as you wish.
- How long does a visit to Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași take?
- A visit to Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași takes about 45 min (the cathedral; +45 min with the museum).
- Can you visit Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași with kids?
- Yes, Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași is suitable for children (quiet during services).
- Where can I park at Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași?
- There is paid parking at Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași (centre, paid zone). There is no published car park for visitors. Park on the streets of the centre, in the paid zone, or in the underground car park of the Palas complex, about 10 minutes' walk away. Around the October feast, parking in the centre becomes almost impossible: come by public transport.
- How do I get to Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași?
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași is located at Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt nr. 16, Iași, Iași County. By car: the cathedral is in the centre of Iași, on Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt, about 500 m from the Palace of Culture. Bucharest is ~400 km away (5–6 hours on the A7 and DN2 via Buzău and Bacău), Bacău ~130 km (~2 hours via Roman, on the DN2 and DN28), Suceava ~145 km (~2 hours 30 minutes via Pașcani). Public transport: Iași railway station is ~1.5 km away (~20 minutes on foot). Trams and buses in the centre stop at Union Square and at the Palace of Culture, both a 5–10 minute walk from the cathedral.
- When is the best time to visit Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași?
- The best season for Metropolitan Cathedral of Iași: All year round (very crowded around 14 Oct).
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