Things to see and do Botoşani

It has several sections (science, art...). Among the most interesting, the history museum (currently under renovation) traces the history of the region from prehistory to the present day. In particular, you'll see the remains of the Cucuteni culture, a rich Neolithic civilization. We also recommend the Ethnography Museum (bulevardul Eminescu, 50), to discover the folklore and crafts of this part of Moldavia: textiles with symbolic motifs, costumes, decorated eggs... The section dedicated to New Year customs is particularly captivating.

The birthplace of the great composer, pianist and violinist George Enescu (1881-1955) is located in the village that bears his name, some 50 km north of Botoșani. Renamed after the artist's death, the commune was formerly called Liveni. The small house with a painted wooden porch houses a museum in honour of the musician. You will see objects from his childhood: a piano, a toy violin, coloured pencils, drawings, but also photos, scores, etc.

The great Romantic poet Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889) was born in the village of Ipotești, 10 km west of Botoșani, in magnificent countryside. His birthplace and the surrounding estate have been transformed into a vast center dedicated to his memory and research around his work. You can visit his parents' home, furnished with beautiful period furniture and objects. Some of it original, it recreates the atmosphere of the thirty years during which the poet's family lived there, from 1848 to 1878. Nearby, you'll see two churches: one dating from the early ^19th century, which served as a place of prayer for the Eminovici family (Eminescu's original name). Next to it are the graves of the artist's parents and two brothers. The other, dating from 1906, post-dates the family's presence. It was the village church. The estate also includes a Moldavian-style peasant house with a magnificent carved wooden porch and elegant interiors. There's also an amphitheater, a national poetry library and a museum dedicated to Eminescu's work, which regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.

Regular buses with a change in Suceava will take you as far as Ipotești. You can even sleep on site: villas have been built within the estate to accommodate tourists. A project to modernize the complex has been under consideration for some years, but no decision has yet been taken.

It was in the village of Flămânzi, 30 km south of Botoșani, that the first insurrections against landowner domination took place in 1907. The revolt then spread throughout the country, as monuments in many villages remind us. These were the last peasant uprisings in Europe. Recently renovated, the Peasant Revolt Museum(muzeul răscoalei țărănești) is dedicated to these events and to life in the countryside at the time.

This is the house where the great Romanian historian and politician Nicolae Iorga lived between 1876 and 1880. You will find a large number of books, manuscripts, diplomas obtained in the most prestigious European universities (Sorbonne, Cambridge...), as well as photographs of the scientist, at various periods of his life. The interiors, typical of the period, illustrate the modest means available to his family, but also his illustrious ancestry.

This church on the northern outskirts of the town was founded in 1496 by the voivode Ştefan cel Mare, who regularly visited Botoșani. Its architecture is representative of the Moldavian style, a mixture of Byzantine and Gothic elements. The interior paintings, partly original, are of great artistic value. The decorations on the façade are also remarkable. The site became a monastery in the 18th century, initially housing Greek monks.

Renowned for its paintings and sculptures, it was founded in 1552 by Elena, the wife of voivode Petru Rareș, on the model of that of Popăuți. It was rebuilt in 1725 by voivode Mihai Racoviță, then restored on numerous occasions, notably after the great fires that struck the city in 1810 and 1887 and severely damaged the building. The classical-style bell tower dates back to 1819. For those who come to Botoșani to follow in Mihai Eminescu's footsteps, it's worth noting that he was baptized in this church in January 1850.

The Armenian Church of the Holy Trinity (biserica armeano-gregoriană Sfânta Treime) was built in 1795, rebuilt in 1832. It was built on the site of a former 16th century Armenian monastery. Its belfry dates from 1816. Reputed to be the most beautiful church in Botoșani, it has lost some of its splendour, fallen into disrepair after the departure of the Armenians. It is surrounded by old marble tombstones, engraved with inscriptions in Armenian.