The Palace of Culture is Iași's most recognisable landmark — a vast neo-Gothic building at the end of the main boulevard, its spires and ornate facade visible across much of the old town. Completed in 1925, it was built on the site of the medieval Moldavian Royal Court and remains a symbol of the city's historical importance. The building now houses four separate museums under one roof: the Art Museum, the Museum of Moldavian History, the Museum of Science and Technology, and the Ethnographic Museum.
The Art Museum is the strongest of the four, with collections spanning Moldavian religious art, 19th-century Romanian painting, and European decorative arts. The Museum of Moldavian History tells the story of the principality from its medieval origins through to the union with Wallachia in 1859. Even if you skip the museums, the interior of the building itself — the grand staircase, the carved stonework, the stained glass — is worth the entrance fee. Budget two to three hours for a thorough visit. The palace is closed on Mondays.