Al. I Cuza University, Iasi
Al. I. Cuza University is the oldest modern university in Romania, founded in 1860 by Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza. It developed from earlier schools and academies and became an important center for public education, science, literature, and national modernization. Its main building was inaugurated in 1897 in the presence of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth, showing the importance given to higher education at the time.
The main building is one of the university’s strongest attractions for visitors. Designed by Swiss architect Louis Blanc, it combines classical and baroque-inspired details, with long corridors, ceremonial rooms, and decorative interiors. The Hall of the Lost Steps is known for Sabin Bălașa’s 19 blue-toned murals, painted between 1968 and 1978. Its name recalls students pacing there while waiting for exam or admission results.
The university also connects visitors with older layers of regional history and science. Its museum collections include Cucuteni-Trypillia pottery, linked to a prehistoric culture that flourished between about 5000 and 3500 BC. It is linked to the Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden, founded in 1856, and remains active through lectures, exhibitions, conferences, and student life.
The main building is one of the university’s strongest attractions for visitors. Designed by Swiss architect Louis Blanc, it combines classical and baroque-inspired details, with long corridors, ceremonial rooms, and decorative interiors. The Hall of the Lost Steps is known for Sabin Bălașa’s 19 blue-toned murals, painted between 1968 and 1978. Its name recalls students pacing there while waiting for exam or admission results.
The university also connects visitors with older layers of regional history and science. Its museum collections include Cucuteni-Trypillia pottery, linked to a prehistoric culture that flourished between about 5000 and 3500 BC. It is linked to the Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden, founded in 1856, and remains active through lectures, exhibitions, conferences, and student life.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Iasi. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Al. I Cuza University on Map
Sight Name: Al. I Cuza University
Sight Location: Iasi, Romania (See walking tours in Iasi)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Iasi, Romania (See walking tours in Iasi)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Nearby Sights
Walking Tours in Iasi, Romania
Create Your Own Walk in Iasi
Creating your own self-guided walk in Iasi is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Iasi Introduction Walking Tour
The city of Iasi – second largest in Romania after the national capital Bucharest – is quite often, and deservedly so, referred to as the "cultural capital" of the country. Located in the vast eastern region of Moldova, around which Romania, as a unified kingdom, was formed in the mid 19th century, it was indeed once the capital of it. Renowned for its cultural heritage, Iasi is also... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
One Day Walking Tour of Iasi: Glimpse into The Romanian History
The university city of Iași is quite often, and deservedly so, referred to as the "cultulral capital" of Romania. Located in the eastern part of the country, it was indeed once capital of the vast Moldavia region around which the unified kingdom of Romania was eventually formed in the mid...