Craiova - The Heart of Oltenia

Craiova, also called the heart of Oltenia, is the seat of the Dolj County. Situated in the South part of the country, on the West bank of the Jiu River, Craiova is part of a plain region called Oltenia Plain. Due to its position in the southwestern part of Romania, Craiova enjoys a temperate continental climate, with Submediterranean influences.

A short history of Craiova

The history of Craiova city begins in 400-350 B.C. when our geto-dacian ancestors built a fortification called Pelendava (which can be translated as a fortification in a wet land, making mention of the Jiu Meadow). The first time Craiova was mentioned in an official document was in 225, in a map of the Roman Empire called Tabula Peutingeriana. Privileged by its geographical position, Craiova will rise to be an independent economic Bourg at the end of the XVth century, under the protection of the Craioveşti and Basarabi boyars.

In the time of Mihai Viteazul (Michael The Brave) – a famous Romanian ruler, Craiova becomes an important political and military centre, being an important provider of ruling boyars and strong armies involved in the unification process of the Romanian provinces. In 1846, in Craiova was firstly established a stock company which dealt with the transport of cereals by The Danube Delta to Brăila, as a result of the ever-increasing demands for exports. In addition, in 1896, Craiova was the first town from Romania which had internal-combustion-engine electricity.

Starting with the 1960s, Craiova has been an important industrial centre, being famous for its engine and airplane builder industries, as well as for its chemical, electrotechnical, extractive and energetical industries. Craiova was declared a municipality in 1968 and it has met an ever-growing blossom ever since.

The origin of the name of the city

The name of the city „Craiova” has Slavon roots, „Krajl” meaning king or Lovelace. There are many controversies regarding the exact founder of the settlement which will laterly become a flourishing town. Some researchers refer to Ioniţă Asan as the founder of Craiova, while others consider Iovan – the person who found a treasure while digging a fountain as the father of the southwestern city. There is still to be heard nowadays in the neighbourhoods of Craiova the famous expression “You are just as lucky as Iovan was”. Nowadays, Craiova is an important economic and cultural centre.

Discovering Craiova through its spiritual sites

The oldest edifice from Craiova is the Monastery Coşuna from the Old Bucovăţ. Built around 1483 as a mix between Romanian and Byzantine architectural elements, only the church is still to be found nowadays. Restored in 1844, Church Madona Dudu is another holy place where followers from all over the country gather to say graces.

A famous legend states that the church was named after the icon of Virgin Mary was found in a mulberry, on the same place being laterly built the altar. Saint Dumitru Cathedral carries the name of Craiova’s patron saint and the blazon of the city, being considered to be Matei Basarab’s masterpiece. The nowadays church sheltering valuable embellishments of the past centuries was built in 1889 on the place of the former church which was destroyed by the 1840’s earthquake.

Old buildings, „once upon a time” stories

Casa Băniei, the place where the Divan of Craiova used to meet, is probably the town’s oldest laical building which was restored by Constantin Brâncoveanu in the architectural style carrying his name. In addition, Jean Mihail Palace is the masterpiece of a French architect, Paul Gottereau, who was asked to design an elegant private residence for Constantin Mihail, one of the most wealthy people of the XIXth century. The French architect used materials of the best quality: ceiling plated with gold, Venetian mirrors, Murano chandeliers, Carrara stairs, silken walls and he endowed the residence with electricity and central heating. At the death of Constantin Mihail, the palace will be inherited by his younger son, Jean Mihail.

Nowadays Jean Mihail Palace houses The Art Museum of Craiova sheltering over 4000 masterpieces, famous sculptures belonging to Constantin Brâncuşi  (“The Kiss”, “Miss Pogany” or “Vitellius”), as well as valuable paintings belonging to local talents: Theodor Aman, Constantin Lecca, Ion Ţuculescu, Corneliu Baba,  etc.

Other important buildings that are worth to be visited are: The Vorvorenilor Palace, the former Palace of Justice (nowadays the main building of The University of Craiova), the former Bank of Commerce (nowadays the building of The Town Hall), Oltenia’s Museum, The National Theatre, etc. 

When man and nature meet together

The Romanescu Park from Craiova is one of the largest and most beautiful ones from Europe. The park was designed by a French architect, Emile Rendont, at the initiative of Nicolae Romanescu, the mayor of Craiova at the beginning of the XIXth century.  There are still to be found nowadays the ruins of the old castle, as well as the bridge crossing over the lake in order to connect two of the hills. The Romanescu Park is also comprised of a velodrome, a stadium, a summer theatre, rare species of trees and plants, as well as a a large Zoo. Craiova has undergone an entire process of modernization lately in order to keep up pace with the other European cities. Therefore, in 2007, Craiova was endowed with an outstanding musical fountain which runs a show every evening on the chords of classical music.

Personalities from Craiova

Craiova has been known as an important cultural centre and therefore as an important provider of national talents.

Besides the famous sculptor and painters mentioned above, Craiova was the birthplace of Petrache Poenaru – founder of the national universities of Craiova and Bucharest and the inventor of the ink sack in 1827, Nicolae Titulescu – a Romanian diplomat and twice elected president of The League of Nations (1930, 1931), Henri Coanda – the inventor of the jet aircraft, Gheorghe Ţiţeica and Traian Lalescu – mathematicians, Alexandru Macedonski, Ion Minulescu, Adrian Păunescu, Traian Demetrescu, Marin Sorescu – writers, Virgil Popescu – composer and Titu Maiorescu – academician, literary critic, lawyer, philosopher, essayist, politician, writer and many other notable persons.

The Art Museum The Art Museum of Craiova is located in the sumptuous palace of the former magnate Jean Mihail. Built between 1899-1907, according to the plans of the French arhitect Paul Gottereau, the palace represents, stylistically, a rather free interpretation of the late baroque.		The Marin Sorescu National Theatre The Marin Sorescu National Theatre occupies a special place in the history of the Romanian theatre. Founded in 1850 by Costache Caragiale and Costache Mihailescu, it continued to function, in spite of all the convulsions characterizing the history of our nation.
The University By the Law No. 138 of 25 April 1947, the establishment of the University of Craiova and its ephors was approved. Chronologically, it is the fifth university in Romania.		The Metropolitan Bishopric of Oltenia The first Metropolitan Church in the region of Oltenia dates back to 1370 under the title of the Severinului Metropolitan Church, having been founded during the reign of Voivode Vladislav I (1364-1377)
Educational institutions The `Fratii Buzesti` National College, The `Carol I` National College, The `Elena Cuza` National College...		Nicolae Romanescu Park A special sight in Craiova is represented by `Nicolae Romanescu` Park, with its picturesque character. Unique in Romania, this valuable architectural monument is also one of the most interesting accomplishments of its kind in Europe.
Mihai Viteazu square An entire ensemble of artesian wells, vases with verdure and decorative plants, the reorganization of the small park, the relocation of the statue of Mihai Viteazu to a monumental ensemble represent just a few examples.