About Casa Băniei
Casa Băniei, on Matei Basarab Street, a few steps from St Demetrius Cathedral, is considered the oldest civil building in Craiova. The Craiovești boyars had built a house on this spot as early as the late 15th century, and later it was the residence of the bans of Craiova. Today's building was rebuilt in 1699 by Constantin Brâncoveanu; only part of the cellars survives from the original structure.
The house has been through many fires and alterations. Between 1718 and 1739, while Oltenia was under Austrian rule, it was the seat of the imperial administration, which fortified it. In 1750 Prince Grigore Ghica gave it to the Bishopric of Râmnic, and after 1850 it housed in turn the court, the Frații Buzești High School, the seminary and the State Archives. Restored from 1933 onwards, it was home to the Oltenia Museum until 1948, and since 1966 it has been the seat of the museum's Ethnography Section.
What you can see
The white building, with its tiled roof and an arcaded loggia on columns on the upper floor, keeps the lines of Brâncovenesc architecture. In the basement, the "Making of Bread" exhibition follows wheat growing in Oltenia: old ploughs, including an 18th-century breaking plough, harrows, hand mills, a life-size replica of a bucket-wheel mill from northern Gorj and a peasant hearth with bread stamps and hearth icons. Upstairs, "Rhythms of Life" brings together pottery from Oltenia's pottery centres, from Horezu, Oboga and Vlădești to Șișești, and the contents of a sheepskin furrier's workshop from Dăbuleni.
Good to know
Besides the permanent exhibitions, the section runs temporary exhibitions, craft workshops for children and events linked to the customs of the year.
Information verified on 2 November 2026.
- The arcaded loggia on columns on the upper floor, the most recognisable part of the house rebuilt by Brâncoveanu.
- The 18th-century breaking plough from Glodeni, in the room devoted to ploughing.
- The life-size replica of a bucket-wheel mill from northern Gorj, in the “Making of Bread” exhibition.
- The Horezu, Oboga and Vlădești pottery in the upstairs room.
- The contents of a Dăbuleni furrier's workshop, bought by the museum in 2007.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Craiova is ~230 km from Bucharest (about 2 hours 40 minutes, on the A1 to Pitești and then on the Pitești–Craiova expressway) and ~110 km from Drobeta-Turnu Severin. Casa Băniei is in the city centre, on Matei Basarab Street, next to St Demetrius Cathedral; the Art Museum is less than 1 km away and the Botanical Garden ~1.2 km.
Public transport: Craiova railway station is ~3 km from Casa Băniei.
- Where to park
Casa Băniei has no car park of its own. On the nearby stretch of Matei Basarab Street there are marked spaces, paid between 8:00 and 18:00; otherwise, use the paid car parks in the city centre.
- Fees & discounts
Ticket: adults 12 lei, pensioners and students 5 lei, pupils, pre-schoolers and group leaders 3 lei. A guided tour, on request, costs 45 lei per group (15–25 people). The online “Muzee Dolj” single ticket (adults 30 lei, pensioners 15 lei, pre-schoolers, pupils and students 7.5 lei) gives access for 15 working days to the sections of the Oltenia Museum, the Art Museum and other museums in the county. Filming fee: 235 lei per hour. Exemptions apply to guides, teachers, people with disabilities and their companions, ICOM members, war veterans and other categories set out in the regulations.
- Rules
As in any museum, the exhibits are not to be touched, and food and drink stay outside the galleries. Organised groups and guided tours are booked in advance by phone.
- Facilities
“La carul cu oale” folk art shop · workshops for children · guided tours for groups on request · online tickets
Frequently asked questions about Casa Băniei
How much is a ticket to Casa Băniei?
A ticket to Casa Băniei costs 12 lei (pensioners 5, pupils 3 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Casa Băniei?
Opening hours at Casa Băniei: Monday closed, Tuesday–Sunday 09:00 – 17:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Casa Băniei take?
A visit to Casa Băniei takes about 45 min (exhibitions on two levels).
Can you visit Casa Băniei with kids?
Yes, Casa Băniei is suitable for children (pupils pay 3 lei).
Where can I park at Casa Băniei?
There is paid parking at Casa Băniei (paid, on the central streets). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Casa Băniei?
Casa Băniei is located at Strada Matei Basarab 16, Craiova, Dolj County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Casa Băniei?
The best season for Casa Băniei: All year round (open all year).
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