Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
JEWISH IAŞI
In the 15th century Jewish merchants from Poland and later Russia came to Iaşi, developing a vibrant community.
By the 19th century the population was one-third Jewish, and Iaşi became important for Jewish culture and learn-
ing. In 1876 the first professional Jewish theatre opened here; a
statue of Avram Goldfaden
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(1840-1908), a Polish composer and playwright and the theatre's founder, stands in the park on B-
dul Ştefan cel Mare.
The Jewish community suffered devastating pogroms during WWII. Later on, the wily Ceauşescu extracted
huge sums from the Israeli state by literally 'selling' many surviving families who chose to immigrate to the Jew-
ish homeland.
Today only two of the original 127 synagogues exist for Iaşi's 1800 Jews. The
Great Synagogue
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( 0232-313 711; Str Sinagogilor 7)
, buit in 1671, is wedged between concrete apartment
blocks. At the time of research, the synagogue was closed for renovation. Victims of the June 1941 pogroms are
commemorated on a statue here. To see the small
museum
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( 0742-515 290; Str
Sinagogilor; admission 5 lei)
opposite, contact Avram Gatman, leader of Iaşi's Jewish community.
Many of the victims of the fascist Iron Guard's pogroms were buried in four concrete bunkers in the
Jewish
Cemetery
(Cimitirul Evreiesc; admission 10 lei)
on Mountain Hill (Dealul Munteni), west of the centre off Str
Păcurari. There's a pogrom monument there and a small synagogue. A taxi from the centre costs about 7 lei.
MONASTERIES & CHURCHES
East of B-dul Ştefan cel Mare stand more of Iaşi's many Christian shrines: the city has 47
Orthodox churches alone, seven monasteries, three Catholic cathedrals and one Lippovan
church. Entry to all is free.
MONASTERY
Golia Monastery
(Str Cuza Voda 51)
This fortified late- Renaissance -style monastery is guarded by thick
walls and the 30m-high Golia tower. The 17th-century church is notable for its vibrant
Byzantine frescoes and intricately carved doorways, and features wall bastions from 1667.
After repeated fires and closure from 1900 to 1947, the monastery was rejuvenated in
1992 and renovations continue. The complex also contains a house museum dedicated to
writer and one-time resident Ion Creangă (1837-89), renowned for his Moldavian
folklore-inspired short stories.
Armenian Church
CHURCH
