historical monuments of craiova municipality
TRANSCRIPT
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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former Plenedava (400 - 350 B.f. .Hr) and it first appeared in historical
documents on Tabula Peutingeriana, a map probably dating from 225.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.
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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).
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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).
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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
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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,
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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
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6. Europa2006
Hotel 3 stars 54 Yes Unirii str., no. 10A, tel.0251/412321,
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