The "Mihai Eminescu" Central University Library : it is one of the best, with a huge and varied collection of books, documents, manuscripts, magazines and newspapers, both Romanian and foreign, some of them of great interest. The building was erected in 1930 - 1934, by the architect Constantin Jotzu and the engineer Emil Prager, and was meant to house the Ferdinand University Foundation, under the king's patronage. In September 1945 the building was chosen to be the new "house" of the Central University Library - founded in 1839. Starting with 1948, the University in Iasi was the administrator of the collections. Nowadays, the Mihai Eminescu Central University Library is one of the four central libraries in Romania, and experts say that it's main advantage is the vast collection of old books.
Al I Cuza University : founded on October 26 1860, it is the oldest university of Romania and one of the most appreciated. The construction of the building we admire today began in 1893 and was completed in 1897, the project being signed by the French architect Louis Blanc. It also has a grand opening, highly formal, with the attendance of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeta, which was one of the most important events in the history of the city. The building itself is an interesting mix between Classical and Baroque influences, while on the inside the interior paintings were recently made by the famous Romanian artist Sabin Balasa.
Copou Park - Eminescu's Lime-tree : both are major symbols of Iasi and both are among the best known and popular tourist attractions in the region, as most of those who come to this city also come here. The park was first put together in 1833 - 1834, but it wasn't until Mihalache Sturza that it was changed to a new, modern garden, following the principles of landscape gardening. Here you can also find the oldest monument in Romania, the Lion Obelisk, made by Mihail Singurov in 1834, the project being signed by Gh. Asachi. This 15 meters tall column, made out of stone, is a symbol of the four european powers who in the 19th century aknowledged the independence of the Romanian provinces. In the center of the park, next to Eminescu's lime-tree, you cand admire two busts, that of the the national poet and that of his good friend, Ion Creanga. In 1984 a museum dedicated to Mihail Eminescu was built close by, being officially opened in 1989, 100 years from the poet's death.
The Botanical Gardens : one of the best in Romania and one of the finest in Europe, the Botanical Gardens in Iasi are a special place, whose history begins in the 17th century, when the idea was first taken into consideration. But only after the Second World War, in 1960, the Botanical Gardens as we see them today were opened, offering visitors the chance of discovering hundreds of rare plants, including a great number of exotic species and more than 800 types of roses.
Ion Creanga Memorial House : a small, poor house, very old - as it was built way before 1850 - in Ticau, a small district of Iasi. Ion Creanga, one of the most important Romanian writers of all times, lived here starting with 1872, until 1889 (the year of his death) and wrote some of his best works in this humble home. In 1879 he had a special guest, his friend Mihai Eminescu, who would remain here for several months, due to the warm welcome and friendship of Creanga. The place became a memorial house in 1918, being the first one in the whole country. In 1989, one hundred years since the writer had passed away, a new, large building was finished next to the memorial house : the brand new documents exhibition, more that fascinating for historians and critics. Although the Ion Creanga Memorial House has lost much of it's popularity, still the number of visitors is impressive, as it is one of the most important tourist attractions in the region.
2008-01-11
