In the immediate vicinity of the Union Square is the Union Museum, set up in the palace that was the last residence in Iași of ruler Al.I. Cuz.
The building, one of the oldest monumental secular edifices in the city, was built in 1808 by the engineer Boyordi for the family of Costache Catargiu, who was prominent in Muntenia during the reign of Ioniță Sandu Sturza (1822-1828).
After 1837, the house became the property of the leading Moldavian unionist Mihail Cantacuzino - Pașcanu, who made a series of changes and additions. In this house, the "Unirea" Society held its secret meetings, having been established on June 6, 1858. The second meeting of the Unionist Committee from Iasi took place here, in which leaders such as M. Kogălniceanu, Al.I. Cuza, Cantacuzino - Pașcanu, Anastasie Panu, for discussing the necessary measures to achieve the union.
After the election of Cuza as ruler of Moldavia (January 5, 1859) and until October 26, 1862, when the capital moved to Bucharest following the achievement of the union and administratively, the building was rented by the state to serve as the ruler's residence.
In 1959, the Union Museum was inaugurated in this building on the occasion of the centenary celebration of this important event.
The Union Museum presents, through a complex theme illustrated with rich documentary material, the long struggle of the Romanian people for the establishment of the unitary Romanian state. Thus, the idea of the union of the three Romanian countries is demonstrated by documents from the time of the chroniclers and representatives of the Transylvanian school up to the great personalities of the 19th century.
The exhibition related to ruler Al.I. Cuza includes a series of valuable works, documents, testimonies, as well as objects that belonged to the ruler and his wife, Mrs. Elena Cuza. You can also visit the reception hall of the ruler's family, his study, the hall of honor and the council room of the former princely residence, where the original furniture is preserved.
Source: Iași Municipality and surroundings (Ministry of Tourism, 1980)
