The Mihai Codreanu Museum (Muzeul „Mihai Codreanu”), also known as Sonnet Villa (Vila Sonet), is a memorial museum in Iași dedicated to the poet and translator Mihai Codreanu. The Neo-Romanian house was built for him in 1934 on land donated by the city, and he lived here until his death in 1957.
Codreanu was one of the best-known Romanian sonnet writers of the early 20th century, admired for the formal precision of his poetry and for the six volumes of verse he published during his career. He also worked as a translator and was an active figure in Iași’s literary life, receiving distinctions that included the French Legion of Honour. Although he lost his sight, he continued to write, meet other writers, and take part in the cultural life of the city.
The house was designed in Neo-Romanian style by an architect trained in the school of Ion Mincu and still preserves much of its original character. Two bronze statues of Codreanu’s dogs flank the entrance steps, while the interior retains his library, study, dining room, bedroom, furniture, and artworks. The salon was used for gatherings with writers from the Viața românească circle, including figures such as Mihail Sadoveanu, George Topîrceanu, and Otilia Cazimir.
The museum opened in 1970 and occupies the ground floor of the villa, following the wishes of Codreanu’s wife, Ecaterina. Around 700 objects are displayed across a hallway and three rooms, including manuscripts, first editions, photographs, medals, translations, paintings, sculptures, and personal belongings. Among the more unusual objects are a Toledo stilet cane and a skull-shaped coffee service, while the original furniture helps preserve the atmosphere of the house during Codreanu’s lifetime.
The museum is part of the network of museums administered by the National Museum of Romanian Literature Iași, headquartered in the House of Museums.
