Golia Monastery
About Golia Monastery
Golia Monastery takes its name from the great logothete Ioan Golia, who built the first stone church here in the 16th century. In 1650 Prince Vasile Lupu decided to rebuild the ruined foundation from scratch, and the work was completed in 1660 by his son, Ștefăniță Lupu; the church is dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord. The enclosure feels like a medieval fortress: walls about 9 m high, with corner towers added by Gheorghe Duca in 1667–1668, and a massive bell tower above the entrance.
The church resembles no other church in Moldavia. Outside it is a classical-style building of stone blocks, with Corinthian pilasters over 12 m tall and a Baroque cornice, above which rise seven towers, all different. Inside, the plan remains the traditional one, with narthex, nave and sanctuary, and the narthex holds the votive portraits of the Golia family and of Vasile Lupu's family. Closed between 1900 and 1947 and then a parish church, Golia became a monastery for monks again in 1992. The 2008–2015 restoration, which saved the church from collapse, received the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage (Europa Nostra) in 2012.
Between 1866 and 1871 Ion Creangă was a deacon at Golia and lived with his family in a house within the enclosure, where a memorial room has now been arranged.
What you can see
The church, with its stone facades and towers best seen from the garden in front of it, and the interior with the founders' portraits. The Golia Tower, about 30 m high, with a 5 m square base and 120 steps up to the terrace, from which you see a panorama of Iași; it once also served as a fire lookout. Next to the tower stands the water house with the fountain built by Alexandru Moruzi in 1803, the city's first free source of water, and within the enclosure is the Creangă House, with the deacon's room furnished as a peasant interior from the Neamț area.
Good to know
The monastery is active, with a community of monks and daily services. The official sources do not publish visiting hours for the tower and the Creangă House; access to the tower depends on the monastery's schedule, so ask at the entrance.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The church's seven towers, all different, above facades lined with Corinthian pilasters.
- The panorama of Iași from the terrace of the Golia Tower, after 120 steps.
- The votive portraits of the Golia and Vasile Lupu families in the church narthex.
- The house where Ion Creangă lived while he was a deacon at Golia, between 1866 and 1871.
- The lion fountain in Alexandru Moruzi's water house, next to the tower.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the monastery is in the centre of Iași, between Strada Cuza Vodă and Bulevardul Independenței, about 1.2 km north of the Palace of Culture; traffic in the centre is heavy.
Public transport: the tram line runs along Strada Cuza Vodă, past the front of the monastery; from Piața Unirii it is about a 15-minute walk.
- Where to park
Paid spaces on the surrounding streets and in a car park on Bulevardul Independenței, north of the monastery; at busy times they are hard to find.
- Fees & discounts
According to the official sources, there is no fee to enter the grounds and the church. The official sources do not publish prices for climbing the tower or for the Creangă House; ask at the entrance.
- 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. The tower stairs are narrow and steep.
- Facilities
Creangă House, a memorial room within the grounds · cafés, restaurants and shops in the centre of Iași, a few steps away
Frequently asked questions about Golia Monastery
- How long does a visit to Golia Monastery take?
- A visit to Golia Monastery takes about ½ – 1 hours (church, grounds and tower).
- Can you visit Golia Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Golia Monastery is suitable for children (120 steps in the tower).
- Where can I park at Golia Monastery?
- There is paid parking at Golia Monastery (in the centre, on nearby streets). Paid spaces on the surrounding streets and in a car park on Bulevardul Independenței, north of the monastery; at busy times they are hard to find.
- How do I get to Golia Monastery?
- Golia Monastery is located at Strada Cuza Vodă 51, Iași, Iași County. By car: the monastery is in the centre of Iași, between Strada Cuza Vodă and Bulevardul Independenței, about 1.2 km north of the Palace of Culture; traffic in the centre is heavy. Public transport: the tram line runs along Strada Cuza Vodă, past the front of the monastery; from Piața Unirii it is about a 15-minute walk.
- When is the best time to visit Golia Monastery?
- The best season for Golia Monastery: All year round (a clear day for the panorama).
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