Discover Craiova: Art, History and Gardens

The Craiova Art Museum is housed in the Jean-Mihail Palace. The palace was built between 1900 and 1907 to designs by the French architect Paul Gottereau. The art museum’s cultural collection comprises more than 4,000 works of art. The Romanian Art Gallery also includes works by Constantin Brâncuși.

The palace thus combines a clearly dated architectural history with an extensive art collection. The Romanian Art Gallery complements the general collection with the explicitly mentioned name Constantin Brâncuși.

Culture and History

Casa Băniei is Craiova’s oldest civilian building. It was rebuilt in 1699 by Constantin Brâncoveanu. In Casa Băniei, the Ethnography Section of the Muzeul Olteniei presents traditional Romanian cultural creations from the historical-cultural region of Oltenia.

The Sf. Dumitru Church is Craiova’s oldest place of worship and a tourist attraction. The Nicolae-Brândușa Church is a historic monument of religious architecture from the 18th century. The Sfânta-Treime Church complex is an architectural complex from the 18th century located in the centre of Craiova. The Madona Dudu Episcopal Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Mother of God, was built between 1750 and 1756 in the Brâncovenesc style.

The historic buildings date from different periods and represent different types of construction: Casa Băniei points to the year 1699, several churches date from the 18th century, while the Jean-Mihail Palace was built at the beginning of the 20th century.

You can access other places directly here: Pielești, Calafat, Vârtop, Coţofenii Din Faţă, Bechet, Başcov, Podari, Afumați.

Gardens and Walks

The Botanical Garden of the University of Craiova was established in 1952. It has systematic sectors as well as sectors representing the floristic provinces of the world and Romania. It also includes areas for cultivated plants, a nursery and a rose garden. Greenhouses and areas for ornamental plants are also part of its facilities.

The garden complex therefore includes organised plant sectors, areas for cultivated and ornamental plants, as well as special facilities such as a nursery, rose garden and greenhouses. The floristic provinces mentioned refer both to the world and to Romania.

English Park is an English-style garden in the centre of Craiova, laid out during the interwar period. Low shrubs, flower beds and a fountain shape its design. A city walk can lead along Calea Unirii through parks and gardens to the old centre.

The walk thus connects Calea Unirii with the parks and gardens mentioned and leads to the old centre. English Park is located within the centre and has recognisable design elements in the form of shrubs, flower beds and fountains.

Archives and Events

The archive of the Museum of the Book and Romanian Exile „Cenaclul de la Neuilly“ contains manuscripts, excerpts, as well as legal and administrative documents. The collection also includes written documents and handwritten notes. The correspondence relates to creative work in French exile under the supervision of the cultural patron Leonid Mămăligă.

The archive collection thus ranges from manuscripts and excerpts through legal and administrative documents to written documents, handwritten notes and correspondence. This correspondence is connected with creative work in French exile and with Leonid Mămăligă.

The Târgul meșterilor populari takes place annually; it is held during the second ten-day period of October. The event is attended by representative artisans from all over Romania. The Shakespeare Festival in Craiova takes place every two years. The event period is April and May.

The two events are characterised by different frequencies and time periods: the Târgul meșterilor populari takes place during the second ten-day period of October, while the Shakespeare Festival takes place in April and May.

For the higher-level travel overview: Dolj.