Mihai Eminescu Museum
About Mihai Eminescu Museum
The Mihai Eminescu Museum opened in 1989, the year marking one hundred years since the poet's death. The building, put up in just a few months by Iași City Hall to a design by the architect Virgiliu Onofrei, stands in the middle of Copou Park, on the hill where Eminescu walked during his years in Iași. The poet never had a house of his own: he lived at Vasile Pogor's, at Trei Ierarhi and for a while in Ion Creangă's bojdeucă, and the museum was conceived as a “home” the city owed him. It belongs to the National Museum of Romanian Literature in Iași, like the bojdeucă.
The collection grew over time around photographs, first editions and the old books of the “Dumitru Grumăzescu” donation, to which a fine art gallery was added. The poet's manuscripts are not here: the originals have been at the Romanian Academy since 1902, and the museum shows photocopies of them.
What you can see
The building is white and modernist, with a tower with a pyramidal roof facing the park and a concrete spiral staircase in the inner courtyard. In the central hall the floor is a mosaic of the signs of the zodiac, and a statue stands among the display cases of books and documents. Framed engravings and drawings hang on the walls, and the exhibition includes photographs, photocopies of manuscripts, first editions, medals and the first books about Eminescu's work.
The fine art collection includes graphics, paintings and sculpture by Richard Hette, Octav Băncilă, Sabin Bălașa, Dan Hatmanu, Liviu Suhar, Dan Covătaru and Constantin Tofan. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions devoted to the poet.
Good to know
The museum is in the middle of the park, about 100 m from Eminescu's Linden Tree, and you reach it along the park's paths.
- The central hall, with its zodiac mosaic floor and the statue among the display cases.
- Photocopies of the poet's manuscripts, whose originals have been at the Romanian Academy since 1902.
- The first editions and old books of the “Dumitru Grumăzescu” donation.
- The fine art collection, with works by Octav Băncilă, Sabin Bălașa and Dan Hatmanu.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the museum is in the middle of Copou Park, ~2 km from Union Square (~4 minutes by car). Leave the car on the streets around the park and walk the last stretch along the park's paths.
On foot: from Union Square it is ~2 km (~25 minutes), and from Iași railway station ~2.3 km (~30 minutes), mostly along Carol I Boulevard and then the park's paths.
- Where to park
The museum is in the park and has no car park of its own; leave the car on the streets around Copou Park, where parking in the area is usually paid. It is easier to come on foot or by public transport as far as the park.
- Fees & discounts
Full ticket 11 lei; groups of more than 9 people 8 lei per person; pensioners 6 lei; pupils and students 2 lei, with a pupil or student card. Free for pre-school children, people with disabilities and their companions, children from social care homes, ICOM card holders and accredited tour guides accompanying groups; on 1 June children up to 18 get in free, and on 1 December everyone does. Guided tour: 20 lei per person in Romanian, 60 lei in a foreign language (English, French, Italian), by appointment. Photography inside for personal use: 30 lei per hour; filming, 400 lei per hour.
- Rules
Photography inside is charged separately, and filming has its own fee. Exhibits must not be touched; follow the rules displayed at the entrance and the staff's instructions. Guided tours in a foreign language must be booked in advance.
- Facilities
permanent exhibition · temporary exhibitions
Frequently asked questions about Mihai Eminescu Museum
How much is a ticket to Mihai Eminescu Museum?
A ticket to Mihai Eminescu Museum costs 11 lei (students 2 lei, pensioners 6 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Mihai Eminescu Museum?
Opening hours at Mihai Eminescu Museum: Monday closed, Tuesday–Sunday 10:00 – 17:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Mihai Eminescu Museum take?
A visit to Mihai Eminescu Museum takes about 45 min (exhibition in a single building).
Can you visit Mihai Eminescu Museum with kids?
Yes, Mihai Eminescu Museum is suitable for children (the park around it, with paths).
Where can I park at Mihai Eminescu Museum?
There is paid parking at Mihai Eminescu Museum (on the streets around the park). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Mihai Eminescu Museum?
Mihai Eminescu Museum is located at Parcul Copou, Iași, Iași County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Mihai Eminescu Museum?
The best season for Mihai Eminescu Museum: All year round (autumn, in the colourful park).
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