Iași

Iași is a major urban and cultural center in Romania.

It is located in the historical region of Moldavia. The city serves as the seat of Iași County. It is the third largest city in the country.

In December 2018, it was officially declared the Historical Capital of Romania. The city is also known as the Cultural Capital of Romania. It remains the primary economic and business hub for the Moldavian region.

Historically, Iași has held several important political roles. It was the capital of the Principality of Moldavia from 1564 to 1859. From 1859 to 1862, it served as the capital of the United Principalities. This union included both Moldavia and Wallachia. Later, during World War I, it became the capital of Romania. This occurred from 1916 to 1918 after the occupation of Bucharest. The city has long been a symbol of Romanian history and identity.

The origins of the name "Iași" are a subject of scholarly debate. Some theories link the name to the Sarmatian tribe known as the Iazyges. These were people of Iranian origin mentioned by the poet Ovid. Other scholars suggest a connection to the Iranian Alanic tribe called the Jassi. In medieval times, the Prut river was known as the Alanus fluvius. The city was also referred to as the Forum Philistinorum. Some historians believe the name might be a Slavic loan word. The Hungarian name, Jászvásár, translates to "Jassic Market."

Archaeological evidence shows human life in this area for a very long time. Settlements from the prehistoric age have been found near the city. This includes the Cucuteni–Trypillia culture, which was a late Neolithic culture. Evidence of settlements also exists from the 6th to 10th centuries. These sites contained rectangular houses with semicircular ovens. Some vessels from the 9th to 11th centuries feature crosses. This suggests that the inhabitants were likely Christians.

Iași is a vital center for higher education and research. It is the third most important educational hub in Romania. The city is home to the oldest Romanian university. It also hosts the country's first engineering school. There are five public universities located within the city. These institutions accommodate more than 60,000 students.

This large student population contributes to the city's lively atmosphere.

The social life of the city is built around many cultural institutions.

The Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre is the oldest in Romania. The city also features the Moldova State Philharmonic and the Opera House.

Visitors can explore the Iași Athenaeum or the Botanical Garden. The Botanical Garden is both the oldest and largest in the country.

The Central University Library is also the oldest in Romania. Every October, the city hosts the largest religious pilgrimage in the country.

Different ethnic groups have shaped the city's complex history. A significant Jewish community lived in Iași for centuries. By 1899, Jewish residents made up 50% of the population.

The community established over 127 synagogues. During World War II, the city experienced a violent event known as the Iași pogrom. In 1941, Romanian government forces killed between 13,266 and 14,850 Jewish people. This was one of the deadliest massacres of Jews during the war. Today, a much smaller population of about 300 to 600 Jews remains. They still use the Great Synagogue, which was recently restored.

A Greek community also played a major role in the city's development. They held many influential positions in politics and academia.

In 1709, the Greek Hegemonic School was founded. This school eventually became an academy with departments for math and physics. The city also served as a center for the Filiki Eteria. This was a revolutionary organization during the Greek War of Independence. These diverse influences helped Iași become a major intellectual center.