This northeastern Romanian town has a traditional central square with baroque buildings, thermal springs, and several museums housed in 19th-century mansions.
Botoșani, in northeastern Romania, welcomes you with its 18th-century merchant houses and cobblestone streets. Walk through the Old Centre where Mihai Eminescu, Romania's national poet, once lived, listen to classical concerts at the neoclassical Vila Ventura, or swim in the modern Cornisa Aqua Park's indoor pools and artificial river.
Exploring the Old Centre
Walk along streets lined with 17th and 18th-century merchant houses in the Old Centre. Stop at the Antipa House, built in 1897 with its decorative stone carvings, or admire the wooden balconies of the early 19th-century Bolfosu House. The 1900-built Silion House has preserved its original painted ceilings. The City Hall, constructed in 1790, combines curved baroque elements with straight neoclassical lines on its facade.
Historic Churches of Botoșani
Step inside the Popăuți Church from 1496, with its thick stone walls and original frescoes from Stephen the Great's time. The Uspenia Church's bell tower rises above the city center, while inside you'll find gold-leafed iconostasis and wall paintings. At Sfântu Gheorghe Church, look up to see the spherical domes and colorful medieval frescoes depicting biblical scenes.
Museums and Memorial Houses
Browse through Nicolae Iorga's original manuscripts and writing desk at his former home, now a memorial house. The Octav Onicescu Memorial Museum contains the mathematician's study room and personal library. At the Ștefan Luchian Art Galleries, you can view Romanian paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries, including several works by Luchian himself.
Modern Entertainment at Cornisa
Cool off at Cornisa Aqua Park's seven swimming pools or float down its 340-meter artificial river. In winter, practice your skating moves at the indoor ice rink. The complex includes six tennis courts and a FIFA-standard football field. You can cycle around the park on dedicated bike paths or watch evening performances at the 1,000-seat amphitheater.
Getting Around and Transportation
Catch a direct flight to Suceava "Ștefan cel Mare" Airport, then take a 40-minute bus ride to Botoșani. The city's new electric buses run every 15 minutes on main routes. Trains connect to Bucharest (6 hours) and Iași (2.5 hours) several times daily. Local buses and taxis are readily available throughout the city center.
