Catedrala Mitropolitană din Iași

The largest historic church in Iași and the centre of religious life in Moldavia. Construction took more than half a century, from 1833 to 1887, with an interruption of nearly two decades after the central vault collapsed in 1857. The original design was by Gustav Freywald, Bucher and Mihail Singurov; Alexandru Orăscu then redesigned the structure, abandoning the massive central dome in favour of four vaults separated by transverse arches. It was consecrated on 23 April 1887, in the presence of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeta. The interior painting and the iconostasis, with over 250 figures, are the work of Gheorghe Tattarescu, completed in July 1886. Since 1889 it has held the relics of Saint Parascheva, patron of Moldavia — the reason the city receives Romania's largest pilgrimage every 14 October. The exact location is on the map on this page; public transport gets you there from the centre in a few stops, and a CTP ticket costs 4 lei, valid 120 minutes. A few steps away you will find Palatul Culturii and Teatrul Național „Vasile Alecsandri” Iași. Editorial context in the churches and monasteries guide; the rest of the selection, in all attractions.