CRAIOVA

GENERAL INFORMATION

Craiova is situated in the plain of the river Jiu, connecting Bucharest to Timisoara (east to west) and the port of Calafat to the province of Transylvania (south to north). The Carpathians are less than 100 km from Craiova, while the Danube is very close to the south.
Man has inhabited the area since the Neolitic age, i.e. about 7,500 years before. Much later, a strong Dacian fortress was built, Pelendava, its name being mentioned in 255 AD on the ancient map Tabula Pentingeriana. The present name, first appeared in a document dated 1475, and in 1582 documents mention Craiova as a town. The rapid development of the place was due not only to its favourable geographical position but also to the fact that important political and military institutions of the medieval period moved here, the town being known as "Marea Banie a Olteniei" ("banie" is a term designating the capital of a province - approx. "the Great Capital of Oltenia"). The town grew ever more prosperous and became the second most important political centre of Valachia; for a short while, in 1770, the capital of the country temporarily moved here.
In the second half of the 20th century the town grew, new industrial, commercial and cultural buildings appeared, and it becomes one of the most important industrial and cultural centre with an important industrial and cultural centre with rich commerce and outstanding academic life, a modern city with a population over 320,000 inhabitants. Open to international life, Craiova is affiliated to Nanterre - France, Kupio - Finland, Valencia - Spain, Skopje - Macedonia, Vratza - Bulgaria and Skiyan - China.

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GEOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

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USEFUL ADDRESSES

Town Council
str. A.I.Cuza 7, tel. +40.51.416236

The Prefekture House of Dolj
Calea Unirii 19, tel +40.51.413893

CFR Agency
Piata Unirii, Complex Unirea, tel. +40.51.411634

Station
B-dul Decebal 5, tel. +40.51.418880

TAROM Agency
Piata Unirii, Complex Unirea, tel. +40.51.411049

Airport
E70. Craiova-Bucureşti, Km3, tel +40.51.411112

Clinical hospital No 1
B-dul Maresal I. Antonescu 66, tel. +40.51.132662

Police
str. Amaradiei 32, tel +40.51.417575

Useful telephone numbers
Ambulance 961
Police 955
Firemen 981
Information 951

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TOURISTIC PLACES

Town Council - It is a noghothic monument combined with Romanian elements designed by the architect I. Mincu and was finished by his apprentice C. Iotzu in 1916. The inside is beautiful and the richness of ornaments are impressive.

The Prefekture House of Dolj - a magnificent edificent edifice in the tradition of genuine Romanian architecture, built between 1910-1913 under the direct supervision of Petre Antonescu. The inside is a remarkable display of golden ornaments.

The Museum of Ethnography ("Casa Băniei") - The former residence of the Oltenia province rulers, a medieval building of the 16th century, which houses Romanian folk art exhibits.

The Art Museum ("Jean Mihail" Palace) - Designed by the French architect Paul Gauttereau, combining elements specific to the Renaissance and late Baroque periods, richly ornamented with Venetian mirrors and Murano candelabra, while beautiful pieces of wall tapistry in Lyon silk and Carara marble stairs can be admired throughout the place. This is also the place of a fine collection of fine arts and a "Constantin Brancusi" room.

The Museum of Archacology and History - hauses valuable archacological and numicmatic collections.

The Metropolitan Cathedral (orthodox religion) - built at the beginning of the 16th century with St. Dimitrie as patron is located in the old precincts of Craiova. The paintigs on the walls in Neo-Byzantine style, date from 1907-1933 and are the work of French painters.

"Madona Dudu" Church- whose name originates in the legend of the icon of Virgin Mary, which was found in the wall on that very site. Built between 1928-1938, the chrch was designed by the architects Traianescu and Becu is a remarkable Neo-Byzantine style.

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FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS OF THE CITY

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