The Cold Vault was originally excavated by the servant Gh. Costin, becoming storage for Prince Potemkin's palace in 1799 and later receiving the name "cold vaults". In 1806, the same Gh. Costin built a new hruba of about 150 meters wide, connecting it to the old one. The "Bolta Rece" restaurant was set up in this new hruba in the 19th century and included a surface construction with four rooms, a kitchen with an oven and grill, surrounded by a courtyard and a garden.
Known to all Moldovans, this place was the favorite destination of those passing through Iași and represented the place where the people of Iaşi socialized. Frequented by members of the Junimea society, including Creangă and Eminescu, as well as other illustrious people such as Vasile Conta, N. Beldiceanu, Caragiale, and the group of literati from "Viata Românească", Bolta Rece also attracted famous artists such as Rossini and Mounet-Sully .
Designed by the architect Ilie Costinescu, the new place remains an attraction in Iași due to the beauty of the interior decoration, the furniture and objects in popular style, as well as the specific dishes offered.
Source: Iași Municipality and surroundings (Ministry of Tourism, 1980)
