Galata Monastery
About Galata Monastery
Galata Monastery is a convent on the hill of the same name in the west of Iași, with views over the city. It was founded by Prince Petru Șchiopul: the first monastery, down in the valley, collapsed soon after it was built, and in 1583 the prince began work on a second one, on the hill. The name comes from the Galata district of Constantinople, where the Moldavian princes stayed when they went to the Porte to receive the decree confirming their reign.
The church, dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord and built between 1582 and 1584, is made of dressed stone and courses of three bricks each, which give it its colour. It is the first church in Moldavia with two towers, its facade is divided by a belt course into two registers of blind arcades, and it served as a model for the churches at Aroneanu, Dragomirna and Trei Ierarhi. The enclosure wall, raised in 1735, and the bell tower at the entrance give the complex the look of a fortress.
The monastery was also a princely residence, and between 1923 and 1950 the abbots' houses served as a prison. Since 1990 it has again been a convent.
What you can see
The church, with its stone-and-brick facades and two octagonal towers; inside, the burial chamber separated from the nave by three arcades on columns, and a fragment of the votive painting on the north wall of the nave, showing Petru Șchiopul, his wife and his daughter. The bell tower at the entrance, with the coat of arms of Moldavia in relief above the gate, almost worn away by time. The princely house, with ruins preserved at ground level and the rest rebuilt in the 1960s, which holds the chapel of the Apostle James, the monastery museum and the nuns' vestment-making and embroidery workshop. From the plateau on top of the hill there is a view over Iași.
Good to know
The monastery is active, with daily services in the morning and afternoon; it is not open to visitors during services.
Information verified on 28 October 2026.
- The church with two octagonal towers, the first of its kind in Moldavia, its facade divided by a belt course into two registers of arcades.
- The fragment of votive painting on the north wall of the nave, showing Petru Șchiopul, his wife and his daughter.
- The bell tower at the entrance and the enclosure wall, which give the complex the look of a fortress.
- The princely house, with its ground-level ruins, the chapel of the Apostle James and the monastery museum.
- The view over Iași from the plateau on top of Galata Hill.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the monastery is on Galata Hill, in the west of Iași, on Strada Mănăstirii, about 3.5 km (~6 min) from the Palace of Culture.
Public transport: from the centre, city transport reaches the Galata district, and the last stretch, uphill, is on foot.
- Rules
Modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, hats off inside. Quiet in the church, especially during services, when visiting and photography are not allowed. Ask at the entrance whether photography is allowed inside.
- Facilities
Monastery museum and chapel, in the princely house · the nuns' vestment-making and embroidery workshop
Frequently asked questions about Galata Monastery
How long does a visit to Galata Monastery take?
A visit to Galata Monastery takes about 45 min (church and grounds).
Can you visit Galata Monastery with kids?
Yes, Galata Monastery is suitable for children (quiet in the church).
How do I get to Galata Monastery?
Galata Monastery is located at Strada Mănăstirii 4, Iași, Iași County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Galata Monastery?
The best season for Galata Monastery: All year round (a clear day for the view).
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