Historical Monuments of Craiova Municipality

7/29/2019 Historical Monuments of Craiova Municipality

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MAIN OUTLINES OF CRAIOVA HISTORY

Craiova today occupies the ancient site of a Geto-Dacian tribe,

former Plenedava (400 - 350 B.f. .Hr) and it first appeared in historical

documents on Tabula Peutingeriana, a map probably dating from 225.

The former Roman citadel was build near Cosuna Monastery, built probably in the 1442 - 1443.

There are plenty of Legends related to the name of the town.

The origins regarding the name of the town are has been the subject of

numerous controversy and legends. The only certain version is that the name comes

from “ Kral” ( king). Other says that the name relates to Craiul Jovan (King Iovan)

who had to retreat at the end of its reign at the north of the Danube and thus becomes

“king over some Wallachians“. Some investigators like L. Candea and V. Oghina

bake the theory that says that Craiova becomes the capital of the new formation

founded by Jovan himself, up. There are more other legends related to the original

name of Craiova.

Besides the antic name Plenedava and the actual name of Craiova, the city

was also named and Ponsiona (bridge over the Jiu river) on the VII century.

At the end of the XV century Craiova was a borough lying on the lands of the

Craiovesti family, ancient bans some of the highest-ranking boyars of the Wallachian.

The Bans had the right of minting coins stamped with their own effigies - the origin of

the Romanian word ban as used for coins.

In 1395 Craiova was probably the scene of a victory won by

the Wallachian Prince Mircea I of Wallachia over Bayezid I Sultan

of the Ottomans (The battle of Rovine).

Though Craiova’s first documentary testimonial was on 1 June

1475 by Laiota Basarab Waivode, the city has gained a specific social

and economical life, long before that. Craiva, after the first half of

XVI century gain the name of main trading place in the region.During the reign of Mihai Viteazu (Michael the Brave), the First king of

Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania Craiova was frequently referred as a city and

always regarded as an important economic region of Wallachia, an

important military and political centre.

The XVIII century was a very stormy period in the life of the

citadel. The Craiovean nobles receive Nicolae Mavrocordat with

hostility in 1716 by more then 4.000 people of Craiova. During 1718

-1737 Habsburg occupation of Oltenia, Craiova’s status declined due to

economic pressures and increased centralism, partly leading to an

increase in brigands actions, in parallel with protest of Craiovean

Boyars. The brigand’s actions in Oltenia was more powerful than anyother European regions and the Habsburgs fail to gain the de facto

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power in the area and thus they are determinate to leave Oltenia. Between 1735 - 1770

Craiova becomes a capital that confronted anarchy, where brigands like Iancu Jianu

made the law. In 1761 the bans relocated to Bucharest, leaving behind Craiova.

Under the prince Emanuel Giani-Ruset, Craiova becomes the capital of

Wallachia and was viewed as a refuge during the Russo - Turkish War of 1768-1774.

At the end of the XVIII century after the terrible earthquake in 1790, after the 1795 plague and great fire in 1796 Craiova encountered great decline. The rebel pasha

Osman Pazvantoglu burned a large part of the city in 1800.

During the Wallachian uprising of 1821 the inhabitants of the present day Dolj

County joined Tudor Vladimirescu’s Pandurs in great numbers, contributing to the

expedition on Bucharest.

During the first two century of the XIX century Craiova witnessed economic

prosperity, centered on handicrafts trades and public services. Craiova becomes a very

important trading, administrative and cultural point.

During Imperial Russian occupation and the early stages of the Organic

Statute rules (1828 - 1834) the city increased its economic output. In 1862 there were

595 shops, 197 made of wood and 398 were houses built of brick. At the time,Craiova exported wheat, furs, leather, live animals and other products into the

Austrian and Ottoman Empires. In 1846 in Craiova was the first Romanian trading

corporation, which exported wheat by boat on the Danube. Around 1848 Craiova had

almost 20.000 citizens.

The intellectual representatives of Craiova were the first who supported the

development of the city as well as of the country. A very important part during the

1848 Revolution played the teachers from The Central School from Craiova and

especially their leader Ioan Maiorescu.

Costache Romanescu, a citizen of Craiova and Gheorghe Magheru were

among the leaders of the Provisoral Government during the 1848 Revolution and in

1845 joined a political secret society named “Fratia” (Brotherhood). So Craiova was a

very important part of the Revolution. 30 November 1848 the ottoman army under the

Hussein Pasha hundreds and hundreds of villagers around Craiova fight with the

Turkish numerous army.

Wallachia’s last two rulers Gheorghe Bibescu and Barbu Dimitrie Stirbei

came from an important boyar family residing in Craiova - the Bibescu family.

Around 1860 there were 4.633 building in Craiova, which was comprised of

3.220 houses, 26 churches, 11 schools and 60 factories and workshops. In all, the city

also housed about 90 industrial establishment of which 12 were mils, 3 beer factories,

2 gas and oil factories, 4 tanning yards and 2 printing presses; 57% of the total

number of craftsmen of Dolj County lived in Craiova (1.088 craftsmen, 687 journeymen and 485 apprentices).

In the spring of 1857 in Craiova was established the Unionist Committee and

among its members were Petrache Cernatescu, Emanoil Chinezu, Gheorghe Chitu.

1857, 9 October Ad-hod Gathering, of Wallachia, voted unanimous for the

Union.

Units from Craiova participated at the Independence War (1877-1878),

Craiova being an important military center.

The period following the Independence War was the time for economic and

cultural progress for Craiova.



As a result, at the end of the XIX century, the city of Craiova, which was

around 40.000 inhabitants, has developed small factories (producing chemicals,

farming utilities and construction materials) and textile factories. On October 26,

1896, the Craiova power station entered service (with AEG equipment working at310CP, supplying 365 streetlights on 39 streets, forming a 30-km –long network).

Craiova was the first city in the country to be supplied with electric power by internal

combustion engine.

In 1900 Craiova had 43,1% of the industrial units of Oltenia, these numbered

924 industrial companies (including 20 large industrial establishments, employing

1.078 workers). The number of large industrial establishments rose to 40 by 1925.

Banking also developed at the beginning of the XX century (when 6 banks and 2

exchange offices were already operating).

On a 1910 census, Craiova counted off 51.404 inhabitants being the second

after Bucharest.

In 1913 the Government chaired by Titu Maiorescu, signed the Peace Treaty,

ending the Balkans war, treaty known as The Peace from Craiova.

The population of Craiova received the First World War (1914-1918)

different. Some of them openly condemned the war seen as a misery bringer. In 1916

Romania entered the war on behalf of the Antanta, hoping for national unity.

During the neutrality years, Craiova became an important military center and

here was the headquarters of Army I. In August 1916 when Romania joined the

hostilities Army I countered 134.400 people.

21 November 1916 Craiova was occupied by the Austro-Hungarian troupes.

For 2 years during the German administration, Craiova’s economical life was

paralyzed.In the interwar period, the city, as an agricultural region, steps forward but

very slowly comparing to other urban area in the country. Craiova experienced little

further industrialization and the number of industrial workers remained comparatively

small.

In 1939, Craiova had 7 industrial units with over 100 workers: the cloth

industry companies Oltenia and Scrisul Romanesc were well known all over the

country and abroad.

In 1940 Craiova becomes the place of “Romanian-Bulgarian conference”,

following this debates it was signed a treaty on 7 September 1940 that agreed

Dobrogea (Cadrilaterul ), to be given to Bulgaria.

In 1930 the number of people in Craiova was 63.215, in 1948 rose up to84.574, in 1956 up to 96.897 and in 1974 the population numbered 194.235 citizens.

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After the 1960, under the Communist regime the city become a noted center

for the automotive and engine building engineering, mining industry and the electrical

power industry. Among this, we can count Electroputere Craiova, Airplane Factory,

Combinatul Isalnita.

In 1968 Craiova becomes a Municipality.

After the 1989 revolution brought the reestablishment of a free market anddecentralization in overall management, several industries became the subject of

privatization, while the market opened itself to private initiatives. Industry, although

affected by economic changes, remains an important branch, representing 70 % of

Craiova’ s output.

CRAIOVA’S CULTURAL LIFE

Craiova is the second town, after Bucharest, according to the number of old

buildings: churches, houses and Boyer palaces or other laic buildings.

Craiova Churches

“ Madona Dudu” Church, is

now a real pilgrimage place. The

church was built between the years

1750-1756 and was restored in 1844

after it was destroyed by an

earthquake in 1831.The church’s

painting has Gheorghe Tatarescu’s

signature. The church was named

after the miracle making, which – the

legend says – would have been, found

in a mulberry tree on the place where

ulterior the altar was built.

The oldest building in Craiova, which was conserved, is

Cosuna Monastery- the Old Bucovat. This belongs to in the

religious building category – monuments from Tara

Romaneasca. An old mapping says that the monastery would

have been built in 1483 (the same opinion have the historians B.P.

Hasdeu and Nicolae Iorga). For the church’s building it was used

stone (for the foundation) and brick (for the pedestal and walls)

from the Pelendava Roman camp.Another important church is the church Jitianu build by

Serban Waiovode’s (1654 – 1658). The church was restored in 1717, 1852, 1910,

1926 and 1958.Today, in the civil building’s inward of the monastery there are a rich

collection of pieces medieval art from Oltenia.

Other important churches are: Saint Ilie Church, built in 1720 by Ilie

Otetelesanu and the great merchants of the town and painted by the painter

Constantin Lecca between 1840 – 1841, renewed in 1893, the present painting being

performed by Gheorghe Ioanid and Gheorghe Tatarescu, The Church of the All

Saints (1700), The Old, Saint Gheorghe Church (1730), The Monastery “Obedeanu”

(1747), The Church Mantuleasa (1786), Saint Nicolae Church ( 1794) and The

Evangelical Church (1872).



The Saint Dumitru Cathedral , Craiova’s

patron, which also appears on the town’s coat of arms,

occupies a special place among the old buildings. Built

on the place of an old church by Craiova’s boyars at the

end of the XV century (1483) the Regnant Church is

considered to be Matei Basarab opera after the writingsof an old church book dating from 1652. Presently Saint

Dumitru Cathedral was built in 1889 on a part of the

city on a place where a church had been destroyed by

the 1840 earthquake after the plans of a French architect

Lecomte de Nouy. The indoor paintings were realized

between 1907-1933. The old Regnant Church became

an Orthodox Cathedral in 1940. St Dumitru icon was realized in Venetian mosaic.

The patrimony of the church keeps valuable treasures a Byzantine bowl dating from

the XV century- a proof of the Romanian spiritual continuity.

Laic buildings“Casa Baniei” (Bania House) presently is the oldest laic building and it was

built in 1699;concidering the opinions of some

art historiographer the building built by Barbu

Craiovescu in the XV century remains one of

the oldest buildings. Restored by Constantin

Brâncoveanu, Casa Baniei has two levels,

brick dome areas downstairs and here it used to

meet the old council of Craiova.

In Craiova there are many famous old

fountains such as:

Jianu Fountain built around year 1800; Purcaru Fountain;

Popova Fountain (also known as Basarabesti Fountain) and dating from

XVII century, according to some 1613 documents.

After 1800 the town follows a systematization process: the main

streets are being paved with artificial basalt, Yvoir sandstone from

Switzerland, France or Belgium; sidewalks surrounded by trees are also

being made.

In 1854 appears public lighting, with colza oil lamps and starting

with year 1858 it is used burning oil and in 1887 at

Theodorini Theatre are used the first bulbs and in

1896 the town has its own power station.The new buildings are made in different

styles: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Neoclassical,

Romantic and Romanian by French, Italian, German or

Romanian architects.

An image of this style in present in Craiova is Jean

Mihail Palace realized between 1899-1907 by the French

architect Paul Gottereau at the request of Constantin Mihail – one of the Romanian

richest people from those times. The palace was built as a private house. At the

construction of the building were used only the best material like Venetian mirrors,

painted ceilings, Murano crystal chandeliers, columns and stairs made of Carrara

marble, walls covered with Lyon silk, gold and other precious materials. The palace



was covered with table slate and it also had central heating. Constantin Mihail dies in

1908 and the palace remains to his younger sun Jean Mihail.

“Vorvoreni Palace” - today the Metropolitan Seat, the Archiepiscopate of

Craiova - is a very imposing palace, designed by architect D. Maimarolu.

Ion Socolescu respecting the Neoclassicism architectural style designed the

Palace of Justice - today the headquarters of the University - in 1890.Other distinguished building is the

headquarters of Craiova City Hall, designed by

Ion Mincu, and ended in 1916 by his apprentice

Constantin Iotzu. The interior of the building is

decorated with precious materials like Venetian

mosaic and wrought iron.

A very interesting and grandiose building

with traditional architectural characteristic is the

former Palace of Administration, today the

headquarters of the Prefecture and the Dolj

County Council. It represents the work of thearchitect Petre Antonescu, built between 1912-1913.

The Art Museum is housed in the sumptuous Jean Mihail Palace (1899-

1907). The first Art Museum in Craiova

was founded in 1908, the Aman

“Pinoteca”. In the present palace it is

housed since 1954. The museum has a

patrimony of about 12 000set pieces and

it is known in Romania and also over the

borders by the European Art Gallery that

has rooms of Holland, Flemish, French

and Italian Art, general work from the

XVII century. The Romanian Art Gallery

having monographic rooms dedicated to

the Romanian classic painters like Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, Stefan

Luchian, Gheorghe Patrascu, Theodor Pallady, Eustatiu Stoenescu, Ion Tuculescu

and others. Famous in the world for the “Brancusi “Room, where usually, there are

exposed six of the works made by the modern sculpture initiator: “Vittelius” (1898),

“Elation”, “Head of a Bo” (1906), “The Kiss” (1907),” The Thing” and “Miss

Pogany”.

“Oltenia” Museum At 1 April 1915, Constantin N. Pop, the prefect

of Dolj County disposed “the establishment inside

the Administrative Palace, of a Regional Museum

of Antiquity and Ethnography”. At the present

“Oltenia Museum” has three sections:

Archaeology and History Section, Ethnography

Section, Nature Sciences Section. History and

Archaeology section of Oltenia Museum holds

over 20 collection, materialized in about 110 000

cultural objects, including, numismatics, documents, ceramics, inscriptions, weapons,

ancient jewels, manuscripts, pictures. This Museum is the establishment that saved upa valuable cultural patrimony expressing defining features of the existence and the





development of Craiova and also put his logistical and material contribution in

materialising development projects.

The “Nicolae Romanescu“ Park is one of the most

beautiful parks of Craiova and it was arranged between 1900-1903

when N. Romanescu was the Mayor of Craiova, according to the

plans of an French architect named E. Redont. This ensemble it issituated on a 100 ha area to the South of the city, on the surface of

the Bibescu’s farm and garden, very well- known places for

promenade of high society of Craiova in the fifth decade of the XIX

century. It is considered to be the third natural park in Europe, a real

“green lung” of Craiova. This project obtained the diploma and the golden medal at

the Universal Exhibition from Paris, in 1900.

Presently The “Nicolae Romanescu“ Park, placed among the landscapes art

masterpieces has a various relief paths, water sources small lakes, waterfalls, rocks,

ruins all these wrapped in frenetic vegetation

abundance. As well, in the park there are numerous

works of art realised by some of the most famousRomanian creators, and also a series of places to

spend the spare time. The Enchanted castle, the

Summer Theatre, the Suspended Bridge, the

Bibescu House, the Race Course, an amusement

park for children, a nice Zoo and the “Nicolae

Romanescu Sports Complex”, a real sports base that

was conceived when Romanescu was the Mayor of Craiova. All these are reasons

why the biggest park of Craiova remains one of the most beautiful parks in the

country and a fresh air source for the people of Craiova arranged after the plan of the

landscape architect E. Redont, a hundred years ago.

St. Dumitru Park (Bania Garden) represents a very good example of

incorporating some objectives of Craiova’s historical site (Bania House, St. Dumitru

Cathedral ), into a green area ensemble arranged as a public garden on a surface of 23

800 sq.m. Inside this garden the rose area shines out as well as the statue of the

Buzesti Brothers.

The English Park , reveals the harmonisation on a limited area, surrounded by

the buildings of the City Hall and of the County

Council and the Prefecture, of splendid ornamental

plans, bushes, trees all these relieving the statue

representing Regnant Al. I. Cuza and a beautifully

artesian well.

The National Theatre of Craiova Park, steps

out by so called 2steps development” incorporating

paving, bushes and trees, statues all these surrounding the ensemble made of the

University building, the National Theatre and the building representing “Children’s

World”.

The Botanical Garden situated on the Northwest of the

central part of Craiova designed by the French landscape architect

E. Redont it was initially designed as a public park but it’s

destination was changed in to a Botanical Garden after year 1952

being at the same time a study ground for students and also servingrecreational purposes. It covers an area of 17 ha on which hundreds



of plants and trees species are to be found. At the entrance there are the Jianu

Fountain (1800) and the bust of he poet Alexandru Macedonski. The Botanical

Garden it is considered to be the forth in the country following the ones in Cluj

Napoca, Bucuresti and Iasi.

The parks situated on the periphery area of the city represent a different type

of parks. Among them, Lunca Jiului steps out by its sylvan landscaping potential, for spending free time, for amusement with small roads for walks, camping, sports basis

and sculptural works of art.

Craiovita and Cornitoiu Park meet a double necessity, one of them being

draining the marsh and also creating green areas so important for neighbourhoods that

lacks this necessityRegarding Hanul Doctorului, here are green landscaping, small lakes that became swimming

pools opened for the people on the east side of the town.

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF CRAIOVA

The total number of historical monuments grouped on the territorial-

administrative incidence of Craiova’s municipality reaches 314 emplacements. Also,

the main administrative-territorial units from the periurban area of Craiova’s

municipality with a very high concentration of the patrimony built with cultural value

of national interest, which keeps either a complexity of cultural values (farms,

apartments, and household annexes, crafts and traditional, folk port), or historical,

isolated monuments of exceptional, national value ( confirmed even by the law no. 5

from 6 March 2000 regarding the adoption of the improvement plan for the national

territory – annex 3.II) are: Almaj, Calopar, Cotofenii din Dos, Podari, Simnicu de Sus

and Tuglui.

Following the emplacement in the perimeter of Craiova’s municipality of theelements which compose its cultural-historical patrimony it is remarked a

differentially alignment of the historical monuments as a number, typological variety,

and last but not least, from the degree of attractiveness point of view as follows:

- archaeological vestiges

- religious objectives: churches, cathedrals, monasteries

- cultural-historic objectives: civil, stone objectives or old buildings with

adminstrative or cultural role, civil houses for living, museums, inns,

fountains, monuments, statues, vignettes, cultural, educational institutions,

libraries.

The region’s spacial architecture, mixed with the features of the other elements of the natural framework (climate, hydrographic network, vegetation and

fauna) increased an old population demonstrated by the archaeological vestiges,

numerous as emplacement and diversified as content, certifying the civilization’s

interchange on this territory and, implicitly the population’s continuity, as well as a

spectrum diversified of exploration activities for the natural environment and this

one’s resources.

Touristic representative objectives for Craiova municipality and its periurban

area through their cultural historical importance and implicitly a touristic attractive

potential garnered – religious buildings (churches and monasteries) – represent

technical artistical achievements, with a special architecture, adequate to the historical

period in which they were identified.



The dissemination area of the religious objectives is expanding on the whole

incidence of the municipality and of the periurban.

Among these therethe following– through antiquity and cultural historical,

touristical value – are detached:

- Saint Dumitru Church (known also under the old denomination of Baneasa

church) situated in Trandafirilor Park next to Baniei’s House; it representsone of the oldest monuments in Tara Romaneasca (built probably in 1652

on the place of an old church from the year 1000 after Christ, gradually

rebuilt)

- Saint Imparati Constantin si Elena Church (also named Obedeanu Church

thanks to its whereness in the enclosure of the complex of the former

Obedeanu monastery) built by the cupbearer Petre Obedeanu between

1748-1753, gradually modified in time, the building housing in the past a

hospital emplacement and a first Romanian school from Oltenia (in which

Tudor Vladimirescu learned).

- Saint Treime Church – constitutes the oldest monument of Craiova, built

in 1768 by Dumitrana Stirbei with a trilobate plan in front of the church

being located the monument of the ruler Barbu Dimitri Stirbei.

- Mantuleasa Church, built in pointed style between 1786-1792 from stone

and brick by Barbu Stirbei.

- Saint Nicolae Amaradia Church built between 1786-1794 by the chapmen

Hristea Belivaca and Mihai Socolescu, keeping the painting in byzantine

style.

- Saint Ilie Church, built by Ilie Otetelisteanu in 1720, remade in 1893, with

painting in oil belonging to Gh. Tatrescu.

- Saint Gheorghe Nou Church, building of Milcu Stoenescu and his brother

Gheorghe in 1754-1755, remade in 1913, carried out in brancovenescstyle.

- Madona Dudu Church built between 1750-1756 at the initiative of

Gheorghe Ion and Constantin Fotescu, the painting belonging to Gh.

Tatarescu

- The Papal Church with the titular Saint Anton of Padova.

Thanks to the architectonic cultural-historical value, to which the spatial

configuration is added, the joint style of the components, the decorations, the artistic

quality of the painting and its conserving state, a part of the buildings mentioned

above were included on the list of the historical monuments and national architecture

interest.

Other religious buildings in Craiova municipality which garner different

degrees of attraction derived especially from the architectonic specific and the

preserved paintings are: Saint Nicolae (1793 modified in 1855, 12 Brandusa street)

Saint Gheorghe Vechi (1730-1731, 9 Aries Street), Saint Ioan Botezatorul (1813, 33

Aries Street), Saint Nicolae (1770, 22 Craiovita street), Toti Sfintii – Hagi Enus

(1792, 21 Alexandru Ioan Cuza street), Adormirea Maicii Domnului and Saint

Paraschiva (1925, 115 General Ioan Dragalina street).

A category less representative for Oltenia’s area ( as far as number, antiquity

and degree of conservation are concerned) is represented by the wood churches

retrieved in only two locations from the analysed perimeter: the wood church with the



titular Saint Voievozi ( 1817, repaired in 1883-1884) from Mischii village and the

wood church Saint Voievozi (1820) from Langa village.

Relevant for the touristic importance of the buildings with religious function

are the monasteries, objectives with organization and complex functions, which

include, next to the proper, areas of habitat type like cells, manufactured, attached

farms.A special place in the touristic landscape of the analysed perimeter is the one

of the monachal emplacements of the Cosuna-Bucovat’s Monastery (located in

Mofleni-Bucovat, on Jiu’s left bank, built in 1572, with a high derrick, with an

exterior covered by apparent brick with paintings from the 16 th century) and Jitianu

Monastery, situated in Braniste/Balta Verde village, with bell tower built in 1701 as a

refuge place. The monastery a rich and valuable collection of old wood and glass

icons, the monastery’s yard embowering a mulberries plantation from the period of

A.I.Cuza, declared a historical monument.

The cultural-historic objectives represent the most important attractive

elements of Craiova’s touristic offer and this one’s periurban through their special

cultural-historic importance and, implictly, of the garnered potential for the touristcattraction. These were identified during some more centuries overlaped to the

medieval period and modern epoch until the beginning of the 20th century.

Their value and diversity, the characteristic specificity of the objectives

connected with the material, cultural-spiritual civilization is a direct reflection not

only the evolution of the constructive styles (and of the architectonic influences

entered on different auger dies, assimilated, adapted and transformed in an authentic

style with an authentic local Romanian-Oltenian “color”) but also of the economic

power/prosperity of the political-administrative role played by the city (Bania being

the second political institution as importance in the feudal period, after kingship) and

by the benefits (commercial) it enjoyed in different historical periods.

The historical centre of Craiova emphasizes the oldest centre of the town,

whose evolution was focused around the old fountain within the old area of Elca

square, its continuous development making easier its ulterior extension. The current

area is marked by Matei Basarab, Stirbei-Voda, C. Izlaz, Madona Dudu, Brandusa,

Libertatii, Brestei, Dumbraveni, Iancu Jianu, N. Titulescu, G. Enescu, Amaradia, C.

Brancusi, Avram Iancu, Serban Voda, Platinisi, Principalele Unite streets and

Bucuresti Avenue.

This, actually represents, not only the social and administrative “heart” of the

town, but also the main attraction pole for tourists (residents or coming from abroad)

who look for satisfying their need for knowledge and want to enrich it by close

connection, due to the concentration within this area and the immeadiatesurroundings, with the most representative touristic civil, cultural-historic, religious

and communitary objectives, that provide an extraordinary personality to Craiova

Municipality, where the general complexion of the province bourgeois stronghold can

be easily perceived and reconstruct. Built, mainly, at the beginning at the XVIIIth

century and during the entire period of the XIXth century, these have different

degrees of conservation and rehabilitation and belong to a conglomerate of

architectural styles.

The most representative structures were built in the main polarization points

and area for the urban evolution of the old fair of Craiova and for categorizing of the

activities at the domain level and the concentration of the commercial spaces (initially

grouped around the Old square, at Podisor, in the Fantanii area and the Tabaci river,their ulterior extension being in stages).



Evidentially, the volume of the touristic flow drawn by the historic center is

directly proportioned with the value of objectives regarded from architectural point of

view, of the historic resonance, fulfilled function, position and accessibility etc.

A special attention must be paid also to the civil stone objectives or to the old

buildings with administrative and cultural role, category that groups a variety of

structures (under the account of function, built style, dimension, construction period,conservation degree, postion), included in the list of historic monuments, due to the

historic-cultural and architectural value:

- palaces: Constantin Mihail Palace, in the present hosting the Art Museum; the

Administrative Palace, hosting the Prefecture; Bank Commerce Palace – today

Craiova Municipality Town Hall; Justice Palace – today University’s center.

- Craiova archbishopric and Oltenia Metropoly (the Metropolitan Palace, with its

center in the former Varvoreanu Palace, Buzesti Brothers street, no. 10,

decorated with numerous exterior and interior ornaments with French

renaissance influence).

- Parochial houses (Aries Street, no.9 and General Ion Dragalina no. 115)

- Ministrative Renaissance hostel (Matei Basarab 17)- St. Maria Chapel (from Sineasca Cementary)

- Different pavilions belonging to the no. 2 Hospital, built in the XIXth century

(the administrative, stationary pavilions, Aurel Constantinescu House) and

Philantropic Hospital

- the center of Carol I Highschool and the Otetelesanu School (St. Dumitru street)

and Obedeanu (Obedeanu street)

- the electrical factory (Brestei street, no.2)

- Metropol hotels (Buzesti Brothers street, no4), New York (St. Dumitru street,

no.1), Palace (A.I.Cuza Street)

- The food market (Bucuresti Avenue), Minerva

- Hoffenschrantz factory (Bucovat no. 24 street); A.Weichmann Motor factory

(Islaz Meadow 89); Traiul factory (Maramures street, no.4); Florica factory

(Paltinis street, no.33)

- Jean Negulescu Cinema (A.I. Cuza street, no.3)

- Oltenia firemen group (C.D.Fortunescu 2)

- Javet Institute (Jietului street 4)

- Victoria shop (Kogalniceanu street, 23)

- The Commune Bathrooms (M. Viteazul street, 20)

- The first center of the Phones Society (Nicolae Plopsor Constantin, no.4)

- The Ramuri typography (Popa Sapca street, 4)

- Romania National Bank – Dolj (Unirii Avenue, 13)- Bratasanu studios (Macedonski street, 71)

The houses belonging to certain boyar families and wealthy merchants (e.g.

Balaceanu, Bengescu, Brailoiu, Calinescu, Campineanu, Cotofeanu, Ganescu,

Glogoveanu, Otetelisanu, Parscovanu, Stirbei, Vladineanu), mainly, built during the

XVIIIth and XIXth centuries, constructions being carried on in the XXth century as

well, represent true Romanian architecture. Unfortunately, above some of these, the

weather mark and other different types of encounterings (fire, thefts etc.) led to their

degradation or even to their disappearance. The majority of those that succeeded to

pass the ”task of time” (against the change of the initial destination of many of these

houses) are included in the list of historical monuments. The most representatives

among these are: The Baniei House (medieval architectural monument, that representsthe oldest civil construction from Craiova – the XVth century, rebuilt by Constantin



Brancoveanu, actually hosting the ethnographic section of Oltenia Museum); The

Vladoianu-Cernatescu-Carlogani House (built in 1762, that hosted Alexandru Ioan

Cuza Ruler during his visit at Craiova); The Jianu House (built at the end of XVIIIth

century and rebuilt in 1918 on the old foundation); The Cotofanu House (built at

beginning of the XIXth century); The Otetelesianu House (built in 1800); The

Bengescu House (built during the second half of the XIXth century); The DumbaHouse (built in the XIXth century in the shape of an L, suffering a series of ulterior

reconstruction) etc.

Together with these and in a similar phase (from the conservation point of

view, precarious on different parts), it can be seen the presence of a category of

similar objectives as function and affiliation – the boyar mansions – located in the

rural space around Craiova: Poenaru House (built during 1750-1764, with a series of

modifications in 1896) in Almaj Commune, Cotofenilor House from Cotofenii din

Fata village (built in 1653 by Mihai Cotofeanu) and the Nicolau Mansion (built in

1889, preserving the original murals) in Cosoveni village.

Among the cultural objectives with touristic functions (preserving various

components of material and spiritual civilization exposed among them and at the sametime having the advantage of their spread recognition) there also can be counted the

museums, that are represented by The Oltenia Museum (with the center in the former

building of the Girls Central School, built in 1905, with 3 distinct sections: archiology

and history, ethnography, the science of nature and more than 20 theme collections,

illustrating the great historic events of Oltenia), The Art Museum (Unirii Avenue, 15

with the center in the former Mihail Palace, built during 1900-1907, with an universal

and Romanian art gallery, numerouse paintings signed by great Romanian artists –

Aman, Ressu, Luchian, Grigorescu, Tonitza, Andreescu, Ciucurencu etc. – and

foreigners from various prestigious art schools, as well as the Brancusi studio with 6

worlwide-known pieces of works, The Military Museum, The National Theatre

Museum, The History of Medicine Museum etc. Within the urban area of Craiova, the

only rural locality that has a museum belonging to this category is the village Bucovat

(the Local Museum).

Craiova’s Inns have a long tradition, the first structures of this type being

built from the XVIIIth century and developing (number and architectonic) in the

following century (Hurez, Nicolita Brailoiu, Ceausului, Ciolacului, Dumba, Hagi

Dumitrache, Nicula Guliman, Nicola Dumitriu, Dimitrue Pana, Pavlu Solomon,

Poroineanu, Brailoiu etc.). The aboriginal architectonic style and their age and

innovation offer to these touristic objectives a real attraction value, especially in the

condition where they keep their initial function, the majority being transformed into

accommodations: Baloi Inn (the middle of the XIXth century), Putureanu Inn (themiddle of the XIXth century, extended in 1898), Chintescu Inn (the middle of the

XIXth century), Hurez Inn (built in 1700, at the present moment, just a ruin), Cocor

Inn (the end of the XIXth century) – all being on the list of historical monuments.

Within the urban area of Craiova Municipality, this objectives category can be

encountered only in Cotofenii din Dos village (2 inns built in the XIXth century).

The list of cultural objectives is also filled with the monuments of art that have

a memorial value such as: the fountains, the monuments, the statues and vignettes

dedicated to certain events with special impact in the national history or to

personalities, whose touristic importance drifts from the historical significance and

emotional impact produced.

From the 131 fountains that gave a certain specific air to Craiova at the XIXthcentury end, only a low number of them was kept until the present moment (Chiriac,



Mantuleasa, Haramboaicei, Popova, Jianu, Obedeanu, Purcarului fountains, the

fountain with spire and the Fountain of Bogdan Mecioca), 4 of these being listed as

historical monuments (Rosie, Popova, Jianu and Purcarului).

The most representative statues are: the statue of Mihai Viteazu, the statue of

A.I.Cuza Ruler, the statue of Ioan Maiorescu, Tudor Vladimirescu, Nicolae Titulescu,

Constantin Brancusi. Regarding the category of monuments, the monument of BarbuDimitrie Stirbe Ruler, Buzesti Brothers, Independence, 1907, Heroes Regiment I Dolj,

Eugeniu Carada, Russian Heroes monuments are among the most important ones.

The most important objectives under the shape of a vignettes are dedicated to a

large number of personalities, such as: Nicolae P. Romanescu, Constantin Brancusi,

Tudor Arghezi, Mihai Eminescu, Traian Demetrescu, Alexandru Macedonski, Stefan

Velovan, Ion Augustin, Gheorghe Marinescu, Petrache Poenaru, generalul S. Stoiov,

Ioan Maiorescu.

In exchange, the funeral monuments belonging to certain personalities from

different domains from the social, political and military life, as well as of certain

representative families for Craiova municipality are many (23 are included in the list

of historical monuments, situated in different locations within the municipality area, 2in The Ungureni Cementary, 1 in the Jew Cementary, 1 in The Catholic Cementary

and 20 in The Sineasca Cementary).

To this can be added the cultural and educational institutes (Craiova

National Theatre, Elena Teodorini Lyrical Theatre, Oltenia Philarmonic, Medicine

and Pharmacy University, Carol the Ist National College, Buzesti Brothers National

College, Elena Cuza National College, Stefan Velovan National College, The

Constantin Brancusi Art and jobs Highschool, The Cultural House of Students, The

House of Academics and The Club of Academics) etc. and the libraries (in the first

place the Alexandru and Aristia Aman district library, with more than 500.000

works).

To the diversification of the touristic base and accomodation, a big

contribution had the construction, during 2000-2006, of certain modern units such as:

the hotels (Bavaria, Emma, La Plaza, Helin, Golden House, Casablanca, Europa,

Sport), touristic pensions (Flormang, Dragonul de Aur) with great accommodation

capacity.

The material base and the infrastructure of touristic accomodation

from Craiova Municipality

THE NAME OF

THE UNIT AND

THE YEAR OF

CONSTRUCTION

THE

TYPE

OF

THE

UNIT

THE

CATEGORY

THE NO. OF

ACCOMODATION

SERVICES OF

RENOVATION

ADDRESSS

1. Hanul

Doctorului

Motel 2 stars Yes Viitorului Street, no.1

2. Bavariaafter 2000

Hotel 4 stars 24 rooms, 6 flats Yes Caracal str., no. 3, tel.0251/414886www.hotelbavaria.ro

3. Central before 1990

Hotel 60 Yes Mihail Kogalniceanustr.,no. 12, tel.

0251/534895

4. Craiovita

before 1990

Hotel 2 stars 60 Yes Prelungirea Severinului,

no. 11, tel. 0251/487217fax. 0251/487218

5. Emmaafter 2000

Hotel 3 stars 59 rooms Yes Bucuresti Avenue 82 A,tel. 0251/460288



[email protected]

6. Europa2006

Hotel 3 stars 54 Yes Unirii str., no. 10A, tel.0251/412321,

[email protected]

7. Genovese

after 1990

Hotel 2 stars Yes Eroilor str., no.23

8. Golden House

2005

Hotel 3-4 stars 26 Yes Brestei str., no.18, tel.

0251/406272www.goldenhouse.ro

9. Green Houseafter 1990

Hotel 3 stars 45 rooms Yes Fratii Golesti, no. 25, tel.0251/532000

www.greenhouse.ro

10. Helin

after 2000

Hotel 4 stars 50 Yes Calea Bucuresti str.,no.

88, bl. U10, building C,tel. 0727606060,0251/467171,hotel@helin’strading.com

11. Jiul before 1990

Hotel 2-3 stars 394 Yes Calea Bucuresti str., no.1-3, [email protected]

12. Plaza2006

Hotel 3 stars 22 Yes Aries str., no. 16, tel.0251430410

www.hotelplaza.ro13. Malibuafter 1990

Hotel 2 stars Yes Gheorghe Chitu str. no.18

14. Parc

before 1990

Hotel 2 stars 86 Yes Bibescu str., no.12, tel.

0251/418772

15. Sport

after 2000

Hotel 3 stars 15 rooms Yes Brestei str., no. 25, tel.

0251/412322,0788914085

16. Grim Hotel Yes Nicolae Titulescu str.

17. Turist

after 1990

Hotel 2 stars 40 Yes E70, Cotofenii din Fata,

tel. 0251/446621

18. II Capo Tour

after 1990

Hotel 2 stars 20 Yes Calea Bucuresti str. no

125, tel. 0251406685

19. Casablanca

after1990

Hotel 3 stars 134 Yes Calea Severinului str. no.

42 A, tel: 0251/588414,fax.0251/421277, e-mail:[email protected]

20. ACR Motel Yes

21. Victoria Hostel 3 stars 11 Yes Locomotivei str. no. 10

22. Flormang

after 2000

Pension 3 stars 12 Yes Dezrobirii str. no. 134,

tel. 0721466029

23. Dragonul de Aur after 2000

Pension 4 stars 8 rooms Yes Unirii str. no. 156, tel.

0251/532000

24. Italian Hotel after 1990

Pension 3 stars 12 rooms Yes Caracal str., no. 12, tel0251/411735

25. Senator Pension Yes Nicolae Titulescu str.

26. Luiza

after 1990

Pension Yes Caracal str., no. 11

27. Ann Marie

after 2000

Pension

andmotel

3 stars 7 rooms Yes St. Apostoli str. no. 20,

tel 0251/510039,0721327786

28. Lidoafter 2000

Mansion 2 stars 24 rooms Yes Constantin Brancusi, no.10

29. Dumatex Pension 2 stars Yes Craiova

Documents

Historical Monuments of Craiova Municipality