Palace of Culture Iași

About this place

The Palace of Culture is a grand building in the city of Iași in northeastern Romania. It served as the Administrative and Justice Palace until 1955, then was given over to four museums now united as the Moldavia National Museum Complex. It also houses a centre for restoring cultural heritage and hosts exhibitions and events. The palace stands within the old Princely Court of Moldavia, dating from 1434. It was designed as a rebuilding and expansion of the earlier princely palace from the early 19th century, keeping its foundations and first two floors, from which it inherited the legend of «365 rooms», one for each day of the year. Romanian architect Ion Berindei designed it in an ornate Neo-Gothic style, and work began in 1906–1907. The long pale grey facade has pointed towers and dark ornate roofs, centred on a tall clock tower, with a wide garden of fountains and tree-lined paths in front. Inside is a grand white hall of columns, arches, a marble staircase and stained glass, and the facade is lit at night. The museums are open with a ticket, and the garden in front is free to all. The facade looks its best at sunset and after the lights come on.