Discover 8 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Craiova (Romania). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Craiova Art Museum, Muzeul Olteniei, and Craiova Botanical Garden. Also, be sure to include Cathedral of Saint Demetrius in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Craiova (Dolj).
Table of Contents
Craiova Art Museum
Also known as: Muzeul de Artă din Craiova
Museum in Craiova, Romania. The Craiova Art Museum is an art museum in the city of Craiova, Oltenia, Romania.
The museum is housed in the Constantin Mihail Palace, built from 1898 to 1907 according to the plans of French architect Paul Gottereau. The palace once belonged to Michael Constantine (1837–1908), a member of one of the richest families in Romania and is known as Jean Mihail Palace. The palace is decorated with Carrara marble stairs, Lyon silk walls, Murano glass chandeliers, painted ceilings, partly gilded stucco, and Venetian mirrors. It has hosted kings of Romania, in 1939 the exiled Polish president Ignacy Mościcki (1867–1946), and the former Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito (1892–1980).
The museum was founded in 1954. It is the main art museum in Craiova and is a significant tourist attraction for the city. A major attraction of the museum is the gallery dedicated to Constantin Brâncuși, exhibiting six of his early sculptures (including variants of his best-known works): Vitellius (1898), Miss Pogany (1902), The Vainglory (1905), Boy's Head (1906), The Kiss (1907), and Woman Torso (1909). It also has a variety of paintings by important Romanian masters such as Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, Vasile Popescu, Ștefan Luchian, and Theodor Pallady, together with some Romanian icons.
The palace is listed as a historic monument by Romania's Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs.[1]
Address: Calea Unirii 15, 200419 Craiova
Muzeul Olteniei
Museum in Craiova, Romania. The Museum of Oltenia is a multidisciplinary museum in the city of Craiova, Oltenia, Romania.
The archaeology section of museum was founded on 1 April 1915. The natural history section was founded in 1923 and the museum as it is structured today was established in 1928.
The museum is divided into three sections housed in separate buildings: ethnography, history/archaeology, and natural history. The collection is based on donations made in 1908.
The building on Matei Basarab Street dates from the 15th century and is one of the oldest in the city. It houses the ethnography exhibits. The building on Popa Street is the location of the natural history section and also a traditional pottery shop. The building on Madona Dudu Street houses the archaeology and history exhibits, including a new wing. The museum is an important tourist attraction in Craiova.
The museum is housed in a former girls' school; the building dates to 1905, and is listed as a historic monument by Romania's Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs.[2]
Address: Strada Madona Dudu 14, 200410 Craiova
Craiova Botanical Garden
Botanical garden in Craiova, Romania. The Craiova Botanical Garden Alexandru Buia, is a scientific organization where plant specimens are collected from different regions of the country and preserved as reference material, but also as study material for the students of University of Craiova. The garden occupies a large area in the center of the Craiova city, Romania, covering an area delimited by the streets Constantin Lecca - Obedeanu – Poporului – Renaşterii – Calea Severinului – Iancu Jianu, at an altitude of about 99 m and it is located at latitude 44019’24.3”N and longitude 23047’17.9”E. It is also referred as a local park for the citizens of Craiova and a tourist destination in town.[3]
Address: Strada Lecca Constantin 26, 200217 Craiova
Cathedral of Saint Demetrius
Also known as: Catedrala Mitropolitană din Craiova
The Cathedral of Saint Demetrius is a Romanian Orthodox cathedral, see of the Metropolis of Oltenia. It is located at 14 Matei Basarab Street, Craiova, Romania, in the historic region of Oltenia. There was likely a church on the site by the 1490s, renovated in 1651 and, having fallen into disrepair, demolished in 1889. That year, work on a new church began, and this was completed and sanctified in 1933. The earlier church's close proximity to the headquarters of the Ban of Craiova gave it importance in the city's political life, as well as a defensive purpose, while the modern building's role ensures its continued significance.[4]
Nicolae Romanescu Park
Also known as: Parcul Nicolae Romanescu
Park in Craiova, Romania. Nicolae Romanescu Park, known over time as the Bibescu Park, the Independence Park or the People's Park, is a park in Craiova, Romania. Located on the site of the mid-19th century estate and gardens of the Bibescu family, it was designed by the French architect Édouard Redont and constructed between 1897 and 1903. It is considered the largest natural park in Eastern Europe. The park was built in a romantic style, a synthesis of landscape architecture and painting.[5]
Parcul Sfântul Dumitru
Relax in park, Park
Address: Strada Matei Basarab, Craiova
Polyvalent Hall
Also known as: Sala Polivalentă din Craiova
Arena in Craiova, Romania. Polyvalent Hall from Craiova is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Craiova, Romania. It has a seating capacity of 4,215 spectators. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the new Ion Oblemenco Stadium.[6]
Address: Craiova, 32 Știrbei Vodă Boulevard
University of Craiova
Also known as: Universitatea din Craiova
Public university in Craiova, Romania. The University of Craiova is a public university located in Craiova, Romania. It was founded in 1947, initially with four institutes, in the Palace of Justice of Craiova. It is the largest university in the historical Oltenia province of Romania. It was the last university established in the Kingdom of Romania. It was the fifth university in Romania officially approved by the Ministerial Council of the Socialist Republic of Romania in 1965, with seven faculties: Mathematics, Philology, Electrotechnics, Agriculture, Horticulture, Chemistry and Economics. The university is a member of the European University Association. It currently includes a total of 16 faculties and two colleges for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Professor Cezar Ionuț Spînu has been the university's 13th Rector since 2016. The university is governed by a seven-member Vice-Rector Board.
The university is internationally known for its football club CS Universitatea Craiova.[7]
Address: Strada Alexandru Ioan Cuza 13, Craiova