Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre
About Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre
The building in central Iași, opposite the Metropolitan Cathedral, was designed by the Viennese firm Fellner & Helmer, which specialised in theatres for the cities of Central Europe. It went up between 1894 and 1896 on the site of the old city hall, after a fire in 1888 had destroyed the Great Theatre at Copou, and it was inaugurated on 1 December 1896. The institution itself, founded in 1840, is regarded as the first national theatre in Romania; it has carried the name of Vasile Alecsandri since 1956.
The exterior has a classical portico with Ionic columns and high-relief sculpture, and inside, between foyers with marble and mirrors and the royal staircase, opens the Great Hall: 740 seats on three levels (stalls, boxes and balcony), rococo décor and a chandelier with 109 Venetian crystal bulbs. The building is a listed monument and went through a large consolidation and restoration process, completed in 2012.
What you can see
From the square you see the façade, with the statue of Vasile Alecsandri in front of the entrance and the esplanade linking the theatre with the Metropolitan Cathedral. At a performance, or on a visit by appointment, you see the foyers and the Great Hall: the curtain painted by the Viennese artist Maximilian Lenz, the painted ceiling and the iron curtain signed by Alexander Goltz, the boxes and the balcony.
Good to know
The building is also used by the Romanian National Opera Iași, and the stage of the Great Hall is shared between the two institutions. Visits without a performance take place only in the weeks when the hall belongs to the National Theatre, depending on rehearsals, and must be announced in advance. The National Theatre also performs in other halls (Teatru la Cub, Studio “Teofil Vâlcu”, Uzina cu Teatru), so check the hall when you buy a ticket.
Information verified on 28 October 2026.
- The façade with Ionic portico and sculpted pediment, with the statue of Vasile Alecsandri in front of the entrance.
- The Great Hall with 740 seats on three levels, in rococo style, with the chandelier of 109 Venetian crystal bulbs.
- The curtain painted by Maximilian Lenz, and the painted ceiling and iron curtain by Alexander Goltz.
- A performance in the Great Hall, to see the hall used as it was conceived in 1896.
- The esplanade between the theatre and the Metropolitan Cathedral, in front of the building.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the theatre is in central Iași, opposite the Metropolitan Cathedral, ~2 km from Iași railway station (~3 min) and ~7 km from Iași International Airport (~11 min). You park in front of the building or on the surrounding streets.
Public transport: behind the theatre there is a tram stop linking most of the city; from the centre you can also walk.
- Where to park
In front of the theatre there is a designated parking area, and around it you park on the street, paid, as everywhere in the centre. On performance evenings the spaces fill up quickly; it is more comfortable to come by tram or on foot.
- Fees & discounts
The ticket price for performances depends on the show and the seat; reduced tickets (pupils, students, pensioners) are issued on presentation of supporting documents. A visit to the building, by appointment, costs 20 lei for adults and 5 lei for children and pensioners.
- Rules
Entry to the hall after the performance has started is not allowed, and the ticket loses its validity; spectators arrive at least 10 minutes early. Photography and filming are forbidden during the performance, but in the foyer and the hall, before the show, during the interval or afterwards, cameras may be used. Phones are switched off in the hall.
- Facilities
ticket agency · online tickets · access ramp to the Great Hall · QR-code tickets on your phone
Frequently asked questions about Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre
How long does a visit to Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre take?
A visit to Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre takes about 2 – 2½ hours (the length of a performance).
Can you visit Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre with kids?
Yes, Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre is suitable for children (check the recommended age).
Where can I park at Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre?
There is paid parking at Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre (in front of the theatre, on the street). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre?
Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre is located at Agatha Bârsescu Street no. 18, Iași, Iași County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre?
The best season for Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre: All year round.
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