The Palace of Culture and its museums.

Being one of the most characteristic buildings of Iasi, I couldn't skip a visit to the Palace of Culture. Built in neo-gothic style at the beginning of the XX Century, it initially hosted the County Law Court and other public institutions. It looks old, but its was equipped with the most advanced technological features of the time, such as electric lighting, (pneumatic) heating, ventilation system, thermostat, vacuum cleaners, and even a fireproof coating on the wood, which spared the building despite the fourteen fires that struck it. Additionally, some rooms were decorated using a special material licensed by Henri Coandă, under the name of bois-ciment and imitating the oak wood. If you don't know this guy (Coandă), I suggest to read something about him, as he was also a pioneer in aerodynamics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It hosts four museums: the Art Museum, Moldavia's History Museum, the Ethnographic Museum of Moldavia and "Ștefan Procopiu" Science and Technique Museum (this last one was so amazing that it deserves its own entry). The history museum was interesting, with a good collection of weapons, tools and items of everyday use through the ages.

 

 

 

 

The Art museum was OK but not spectacular. The ethnographic museum was better, with lots of wooden machines and structures to help agriculture.

 

 

 

 

Last, the Ștefan Procopiu Science and Technique Museum. The other three were nice, but this one certainly gets the cookie. Named after the famed physicist, it will be the subject for the next entry.