Museum of „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iasi
The Museum of "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University in Iași, established as a university department in 2011, is housed in a historically significant Neo-Romanian style building with Art Nouveau elements, originally constructed in 1911. This edifice was once the residence of renowned neurosurgeons Scarlat Panaitescu and Nicolae Oblu.
The museum perpetuates the legacy of two earlier institutions: the Museum of Antiquities, founded in 1916 by Professor Orest Tafrali, and the Academic Museum, inaugurated within the University Palace's Rector's Office during the celebration of the university's 125th anniversary. The Museum of Antiquities originally showcased artifacts from the Neolithic Cucuteni culture and Greek Black Sea fortresses, which now form part of the Museum of Moldavian History. The current museum merges these collections, featuring the "Cucuteni" Civilization Museum on the ground floor and the Academic Museum on the first floor.
The "Cucuteni" Civilization Museum displays a remarkable collection of artifacts from one of Europe's oldest civilizations (5200-3500 B.C.), spanning parts of modern-day Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. Exhibits include iconic Cucuteni ceramic vases adorned with spiral motifs in red, black, and white, as well as weapons, tools, cult objects, and valuable jewelry. The museum employs a thematic and modern presentation, incorporating original items and extensive audio-visual reconstructions to depict the daily life of the ancient civilization. A standout feature is the Thesaurus Hall, an evocative space that uses a starry ceiling and tribal music to enhance the mystical ambiance created by female figurines.
The Academic Museum chronicles the evolution of higher education in Iași through unique exhibits that illustrate the institution's history and academic milestones. Visitors can explore the university's symbols from the first rector's office, original faculty flags, portraits of notable figures, official documents, photographs, academic tools, and medals.
The museum perpetuates the legacy of two earlier institutions: the Museum of Antiquities, founded in 1916 by Professor Orest Tafrali, and the Academic Museum, inaugurated within the University Palace's Rector's Office during the celebration of the university's 125th anniversary. The Museum of Antiquities originally showcased artifacts from the Neolithic Cucuteni culture and Greek Black Sea fortresses, which now form part of the Museum of Moldavian History. The current museum merges these collections, featuring the "Cucuteni" Civilization Museum on the ground floor and the Academic Museum on the first floor.
The "Cucuteni" Civilization Museum displays a remarkable collection of artifacts from one of Europe's oldest civilizations (5200-3500 B.C.), spanning parts of modern-day Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. Exhibits include iconic Cucuteni ceramic vases adorned with spiral motifs in red, black, and white, as well as weapons, tools, cult objects, and valuable jewelry. The museum employs a thematic and modern presentation, incorporating original items and extensive audio-visual reconstructions to depict the daily life of the ancient civilization. A standout feature is the Thesaurus Hall, an evocative space that uses a starry ceiling and tribal music to enhance the mystical ambiance created by female figurines.
The Academic Museum chronicles the evolution of higher education in Iași through unique exhibits that illustrate the institution's history and academic milestones. Visitors can explore the university's symbols from the first rector's office, original faculty flags, portraits of notable figures, official documents, photographs, academic tools, and medals.
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Museum of „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University on Map
Sight Name: Museum of „Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University
Sight Location: Iasi, Romania (See walking tours in Iasi)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Iasi, Romania (See walking tours in Iasi)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
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...