Grand Hotel Traian, Neoclassical historic hotel in central Iași, Romania.
Grand Hotel Traian occupies a prominent position at Unirii Square, featuring a metal frame structure with cast iron columns and metal platforms. The building contains 68 rooms of varying types, conference spaces, and a ground-floor restaurant.
French engineer Gustave Eiffel designed the building in 1882, originally planning it as a national theater before it was converted into a hotel under mayor Scarlat Pastia. This transformation reflects a shift in the building's purpose during the early modernization of Iași.
The hotel has long served as a gathering place for the city's social and cultural life, hosting important events and meetings. Today, visitors can observe the refined interior design that reflects the tastes of wealthy guests from the late 1800s.
The building sits centrally at Unirii Square and is easily accessible on foot from downtown locations. Note that it operates as an active hotel, so public areas like the lobby and restaurant are accessible during business hours.
The structure ranks among the earliest examples of metal frame architecture in Romania, showcasing advanced construction techniques from the 1800s. The use of cast iron and metal framework was innovative for its time and changed how buildings were constructed in the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.