Trei Ierarhi Monastery
About Trei Ierarhi Monastery
The church of the Trei Ierarhi (Three Hierarchs) Monastery was built between 1637 and 1639 by Prince Vasile Lupu, who also intended it as a princely necropolis, and was consecrated in 1639 by Metropolitan Varlaam. Its patron saints, St Basil the Great, St Gregory the Theologian and St John Chrysostom, are celebrated on 30 January. The monastery cells housed Moldavia's first printing press, from 1640, and it was here too that the prince founded the college regarded as the first institution of Romanian-language education in Moldavia.
What sets it apart from any other church in the country is its facades: from the plinth to the eaves the stone is carved in dozens of registers that never repeat, with braided motifs, rosettes and arabesques, showing Oriental, Caucasian and Gothic influences. The plan is the Moldavian triconch, with two slender towers over the nave. From 1882 the French architect André Lecomte du Noüy rebuilt the church almost from its foundations, and it was reconsecrated in 1904; the original painting was replaced at that time. Monastic life has resumed here since 1991.
What you can see
The facades, above all the apse, are best seen up close, with everything hidden in the rows of arcades and the carved bands. Inside are the tombs of Alexandru Ioan Cuza and Dimitrie Cantemir. Beside the church stands the Gothic Hall, the monastery's former refectory, where the Synod of Iași was held in 1642 and which houses a museum of religious art.
Good to know
The church is open daily for visits and services. The Gothic Hall (the museum) has been undergoing a restoration project, announced for completion in April 2026; its reopening is not confirmed in the official sources consulted, so ask beforehand if you want to see it. It is a working place of worship: modest dress and quiet.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The stone-carved facades, with dozens of registers of motifs that never repeat from plinth to eaves.
- The tombs of Alexandru Ioan Cuza and Dimitrie Cantemir inside the church.
- The Gothic Hall, the former refectory, where the Synod of Iași took place in 1642.
- The apse and the two slender towers, seen from the grounds.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the monastery is in the centre of Iași, on Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt, a few hundred metres from the Palace of Culture; traffic in the centre is heavy, and it is easier to park towards the edge of the central area.
Public transport: in the city centre, within walking distance of Piața Unirii and the Palace of Culture; easy to reach by public transport or by taxi from the station.
- Where to park
Parking on the streets around the monastery, paid in the central zone; at busy times spaces are hard to find, so it is worth parking further away and walking a few minutes.
- Fees & discounts
The monastery's official page does not publish an admission fee for visiting the church. For the Gothic Hall museum the ticket was 5 lei in 2022 (a pre-restoration price); check at the gate.
- 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
Religious art museum in the Gothic Hall (under restoration) · cafés, restaurants and shops in the centre of Iași, a few steps away
Frequently asked questions about Trei Ierarhi Monastery
- What are the opening hours of Trei Ierarhi Monastery?
- Opening hours at Trei Ierarhi Monastery: Monday–Saturday 06:00 – 19:00, Sunday 07:00 – 19:00. The hours are those of the church, according to the monastery's official page: daily 06:00–19:00, from 07:00 on Sundays and holidays; services daily 06:00–09:00 and 17:00–18:30. The Gothic Hall museum was open Friday to Sunday, 12:30–18:30, before the restoration, and the monastery's website lists it as "under restoration until April 2026"; check whether it is back on the schedule.
- How long does a visit to Trei Ierarhi Monastery take?
- A visit to Trei Ierarhi Monastery takes about 45 min (church and grounds).
- Can you visit Trei Ierarhi Monastery with kids?
- Yes, Trei Ierarhi Monastery is suitable for children (modest dress and quiet).
- Where can I park at Trei Ierarhi Monastery?
- There is paid parking at Trei Ierarhi Monastery (on the street, in the centre). Parking on the streets around the monastery, paid in the central zone; at busy times spaces are hard to find, so it is worth parking further away and walking a few minutes.
- How do I get to Trei Ierarhi Monastery?
- Trei Ierarhi Monastery is located at Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt no. 28, Iași, Iași County. By car: the monastery is in the centre of Iași, on Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt, a few hundred metres from the Palace of Culture; traffic in the centre is heavy, and it is easier to park towards the edge of the central area. Public transport: in the city centre, within walking distance of Piața Unirii and the Palace of Culture; easy to reach by public transport or by taxi from the station.
- When is the best time to visit Trei Ierarhi Monastery?
- The best season for Trei Ierarhi Monastery: All year round (afternoon light on the facades).
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