Craiova is from all points of view, the center of Oltenia. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Romania.

Although it is attested only as late as 1475, the history of Craiova goes back much further. In the 4 th century BC the Dacian citadel of Pelendava was located here. Since the 15 th century it has been the administrative capital of Oltenia, and has never ceased to develop.

The Princely Church was founded in 1651-1652 by Matei Basarab. Destroyed by the earthquake of 1838, it was rebuilt by French architect Lecomte du Nouy. It is now the Metropolitan Cathedral of Oltenia. The Church of St Elijah (1720) has murals by Gheorghe Tattarescu, one of the great Romanian painters, who lived in the 19 th century.

Some of the civic buildings of Craiova may be considered veritable historic monuments: the Glogoveanu House, the Jianu House, the former Palace of Justice housing the University now, the Administrative Palace.

The Art Museum, housed in a palace built in 1896 and designed by French architect Paul Gottereau, preserves 6 sculptures by Constantin Brancusi. The Baniei House, built in 1699 by Constantin Brancoveanu, houses the Museum of Etnography and Traditional Art.

The Romanescu Park, laid out in 1900-1903 to the plans of French architect Emile Redont, covers an area of 90 hectares.