Discover Tomeşti: Churches, Monastery and Nature

Culture and history

In the village of Tomești, the wooden church „Întâmpinarea Domnului“ is dated to 1771. The church „Sfântul Ioan Evanghelistul“ is a cross-shaped brick building measuring 25 metres in length and 7 metres in width; in the area of the apses, its width is 11 metres. Its interior and the open porch were painted in 2004.

Vlădiceni Monastery is located in the settlement of Vlădiceni within the municipality of Tomești, on the historic site referred to in the chronicles as „Poiana Vlădicăi“. According to tradition, in 1415 Prince Alexandru cel Bun and Metropolitan Iosif Mușat met there a procession carrying the relics of Saint John the Great Martyr of Trapezunt; the clearing there was consequently given the name „Poiana Vlădicăi“, which also appears in the chronicles.

The „Ivirita“ icon returned to Vlădiceni Monastery in November 2010 and is located in the left part of the naos of the main church. It was painted on Mount Athos in 1930; both the icon and the display panel framing it are made of yew wood. The bell tower stands at the entrance to the monastery complex, which is surrounded by a stone wall, and has an upper floor as well as a wide opening.

In the village of Goruni is the filial church „Sfântul Nicolae“, made of wood and masonry. An illuminated cross and an ecumenical chapel stand on Dealul Ceriului. The Catholic parish of Tomești was founded in 1997.

Nature

The ROSPA-0042 „Pădurea Bârnova“ Natura 2000 site lies within the municipality of Tomești. Vlădiceni Monastery is located at the foot of a wooded hill; from this hill, the entire industrial district of the city of Iași can be seen.

Two oak trees protected as natural monuments stand in the village of Vlădiceni; they are more than 300 years old. The centuries-old oak of Vlădiceni is considered a visitor attraction. The wooded areas in the south of the municipality of Tomești could offer the municipality’s residents opportunities for recreation.

Community life and routes

The DN 28 crosses the municipality of Tomești and connects Iași with Vama Albița, from where the route continues to Chișinău. The Catholic community in Tomești organises meetings, processions, ecumenical celebrations and interfaith camps.

An agro-food market operates in the municipal seat of Tomești, trading local and other goods. Pottery and willow weaving are regarded in Tomești as local traditional practices that could support agrotourism in the region.

Several clearly named local references meet in Tomești: village churches in Tomești and Goruni, the monastery in the Vlădiceni district, Dealul Ceriului, wooded areas in the south and the market in the municipal seat. The DN 28 crosses this municipal area.

Other places

You can find other places at the same higher-level location under Hândrești, Valea Adâncă, Iaşi, Budăi, Pașcani, Miclăușeni, Buhalnița and Roşcani.

For the higher-level travel overview: Iasi.