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Stephen the Great Statue

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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Practical info — Stephen the Great Statue

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

The best lighting for photos of the statue and the Palace of Culture behind it is during the golden hour in the late afternoon.
The esplanade can get very hot in summer; bring water if you plan to explore the square midday.
Look out for cultural events and concerts often held right on this square on weekends.
Underground parking is available at the adjacent Palas complex, saving time looking for street spots.

🍽 Food

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Poale-n brâu

Try these traditional Moldavian sweet cheese pies from bakeries near the Palas complex.

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Local wine

Enjoy a glass of regional wine at one of the terraces facing the palace.

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Artisan coffee

Grab a specialty coffee from the small cafes on Ștefan cel Mare pedestrian street.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Palas Mall

A massive shopping and entertainment complex located right behind the palace.

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Souvenir stalls

Look for traditional Romanian blouses (ie) at weekend markets on the main pedestrian street.

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Palas Public Garden

A beautifully landscaped park right behind the palace, first-rate for a relaxing stroll.

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Trei Ierarhi Monastery

A short walk away, offering a serene courtyard and memorable stone carvings.

Highlights of 2026

2026-05-23

Pedestrian in Critical Condition After Accident in Păcurari District

A pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle in the Păcurari district during a severe storm. Authorities are investigating the crash, which occurred under challenging weather conditions and poor visibility.

2026-05-22

Iași Gets Moving with Skoda and Decathlon Sports Weekend

The 'Iașul se pune în mișcare' event promotes an active lifestyle through various outdoor sports activities across the city. Residents are encouraged to enjoy quality family time and physical exercise during the weekend program.

The equestrian statue of Stephen the Great in Iași is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, honoring the most famous ruler of the Principality of Moldavia. The monument is situated in the square in front of the imposing Palace of Culture and was crafted by the French sculptor Emmanuel Frémiet. It was inaugurated on June 5, 1883, in the presence of King Carol I and the poet Mihai Eminescu. Cast in bronze, the statue depicts the voivode in a heroic pose, holding both a cross and a sword. The pedestal is decorated with bas-reliefs representing key battles fought by Stephen the Great against the Ottoman Empire. The establishment of this monument was a significant act of asserting national identity within the young Kingdom of Romania. Today, the area around the statue serves as a central hub for public events and military ceremonies in Iași.

Location: Iași, Romania
Top sights: Princely Saint Nicholas Church · Dosoftei House · Bojdeuca Ion Creangă
Nearby: Valea Adâncă (4 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-4	-1	4	10	17	21	23	23	17	10	4	-2
Rain mm	32	31	36	49	62	85	76	46	38	51	35	35

Geography

Population

378,954

Coordinates

47.16100, 27.58500

Facts

The statue was solemnly inaugurated on June 5, 1883.
The French sculptor Emmanuel Frémiet designed the monument.
The entire equestrian group was cast in bronze.
The statue stands at a height of 4.5 meters.
Two bas-reliefs on the pedestal depict battles from 1475 and 1476.
The poet Mihai Eminescu wrote 'Doina' for the inauguration ceremony.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Dosoftei House Iași<1 km · EExplore →

Ion Creangă's Bojdeuca2 km · NExplore →

Delphi Iași2 km · EExplore →

📍Valea Adâncă4 km · SWExplore →

📍Miroslava5 km · WExplore →

📍Dancu6 km · EExplore →

📍Valea Lupului7 km · WExplore →

📍Lunca Cetățuii8 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Stephen the Great Statue (14)

Princely Saint Nicholas Church ⛪ religious

The oldest church in Iași, founded by Stephen the Great in the 15th century, located adjacent to the square.

Dosoftei House 🏛 museum

A 17th-century historical stone building that hosted the first printing house in the principality of Moldavia.

Bojdeuca Ion Creangă 🏛 museum

This small peasant house was the home of the famous Romanian writer Ion Creangă.

🕒 10:00-17:00;Mo closed

Obeliscul Leilor 🏺 historical

The Obelisk with Lions is one of the oldest public monuments in Romania.

Monumentul Unirii 🏺 historical

The monument commemorates the Union of the Romanian Principalities.

Monument to the victims of the Iași pogrom 🏺 historical

A memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1941 Iași pogrom.

Teatrul Național „Vasile Alecsandri”🎭 culture

One of Romania's oldest and most beautiful theatres, designed by Fellner & Helmer.

🌐 teatrulnationaliasi.ro🕒 Mo-Tu, Th-Sa 12:00-17:00♿

Palatul Braunstein 🎭 culture

A magnificent historic building in the city center, now serving as an arts centre.

Manastirea Ortodoxa ,,Sfintii Trei Ierarhi"⛪ religious

Famous for its unique stone carvings that cover the exterior walls like lace.

Biserica Ortodoxă „Banu”⛪ religious

A historic Orthodox church in Iași, known for its architecture and iconostasis.

♿

Casa de Cultură a Sindicatelor 🎭 culture

Arts and cultural center in Iași for cultural activities and events.

Turnul Goliei 🗼 tower

Notable tower of the Golia Monastery complex in Iași.

Turn clopotniță 🗼 tower

Traditional bell tower associated with a religious complex in Iași.

"George Toparceanu" Memorial House 🏛 museum

Memorial house in Iași dedicated to the Romanian poet George Topârceanu.

🌐 muzeulliteraturiiiasi.ro🕒 10:00-17:00; Mo closed

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Stefan the Great statue located in Iasi?

It stands prominently in the square in front of the Palace of Culture, at the end of Stefan cel Mare Boulevard.

Who was Stefan the Great?

He was a major 15th-century Moldavian ruler, famous for his successful resistance against the Ottoman Empire.

Can the statue be visited at night?

Yes, the square is public, and the statue along with the Palace of Culture are beautifully lit at night.

Is there parking nearby?

It's best to use the underground parking at the nearby Palas complex, as the area directly around the statue is pedestrian-only.

How long does a visit there take?

A quick stop for photos takes 10-15 minutes, but the square is a pleasant place for a longer stroll.

Stephen the Great Statue: where is it located?

Stephen the Great Statue is located in Iași, Romania.

Stephen the Great Statue: what is there to see?

Highlights include Princely Saint Nicholas Church, Dosoftei House, Bojdeuca Ion Creangă.

Stephen the Great Statue: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

Stephen the Great Statue: why is it worth visiting?

The equestrian statue of Stephen the Great in Iași is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, honoring the most famous ruler of the Principality of Moldavia.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Stephen the Great Statue