Piata Unirii (Union Square), Iasi (must see)

Piața Unirii (Union Square) is one of the most important public spaces in the region and is closely linked to modern Romanian history. It takes its name from the 1859 Union of the Romanian Principalities under Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza. Today, the central statue of Cuza recalls this political turning point, while the square remains strongly connected to Union Day ceremonies and public gatherings.

The area grew in importance during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, becoming a center of commerce, administration, and social life. One of its best-known buildings is the Grand Hotel Traian, linked to Gustave Eiffel’s plans. It was originally intended as a grand National Theater project by mayor Scarlat Pastia, but high costs led to bankruptcy, and the unfinished building was later turned into a luxury hotel.

The square also witnessed tense moments in modern history. In December 1989, anti-communist protesters planned to gather here before the uprising spread elsewhere in Romania. The authorities intervened early, stopping public transport in the area and preventing groups from forming. This suppressed protest is remembered today through the nearby December 14, 1989 Square.

Several local stories add depth to the square’s atmosphere. The Grand Hotel Traian is said to have hosted famous guests, including Greta Garbo during a discreet European journey, while its balcony was later used for political speeches under the communist regime. The square’s modern layout also carries symbolic references to Traian, Dragoș Vodă, and Alexandru Ioan Cuza, linking Roman origins, Moldavian legend, and national unification in one urban space.