Craiova Art Museum
About Craiova Art Museum
The palace on Calea Unirii was built between 1898 and 1907 for the landowner Constantin Mihail, to plans by the French architect Paul Gottereau, who also worked for the Royal House. The plan recalls the Château de Cheverny on the Loire, and the façades combine the rigour of French academicism with late Baroque. Constantin Mihail had died a year earlier, so the palace was inaugurated in 1909 by his sons Nicolae and Jean. Jean Mihail, the last of the family, left his whole fortune to the Romanian state on his death in 1936, which is why the building is known as the Jean Mihail Palace.
After the war the palace housed party offices, and since 1954 it has been home to the Art Museum, which began with the “Alexandru and Aristia Aman” picture gallery. Today the holdings run to more than 8,000 works, and the most prized are six sculptures by Constantin Brâncuși: “Vitellius”, “Head of a Girl”, “Head of a Child”, “Torso Fragment”, “Mademoiselle Pogany” (a copy) and “The Kiss”. Since 2022 the palace courtyard has also held the Constantin Brâncuși Centre, with free entry.
What you can see
The palace has 29 rooms, and the interior is worth the trip in itself: the main hall, Carrara marble, gilded stucco and the Hall of Mirrors, the most spectacular room. The Romanian art collection runs from medieval icons to Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, Ștefan Luchian, Nicolae Tonitza, Theodor Pallady, Ion Țuculescu and Corneliu Baba. The European art collection, built up in the 19th century from donations by the Mihail, Aman and Romanescu families, covers the Italian, French, Dutch and Flemish schools.
Good to know
The museum stages temporary exhibitions in the palace and at the Constantin Brâncuși Centre; in autumn 2026 the Centre is showing “Suspended Choreographies” by Raluca and Matei Arnăutu until 13 November. Hours may change, with notice given in advance on the website and on Facebook.
Information verified on 10 October 2026.
- Brâncuși’s “The Kiss”, in marl stone (1907), the centrepiece of the collection.
- The Hall of Mirrors, the most spectacular of the palace’s 29 rooms.
- The main hall, with Carrara marble, gilded stucco and wide skylights.
- Canvases by Nicolae Grigorescu, Ștefan Luchian and Ion Țuculescu in the Romanian art collection.
- The Constantin Brâncuși Centre in the courtyard, with free entry and contemporary art exhibitions.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Craiova is ~230 km from Bucharest (about 3 hours, on the A1 and DN6 via Slatina) and ~120 km from Drobeta-Turnu Severin. The palace is in the city centre, on Calea Unirii, a few minutes’ walk from Mihai Viteazul Square; Nicolae Romanescu Park is ~2.5 km to the south.
Public transport: from Craiova railway station it is ~2 km to the museum, about 25–30 minutes on foot or a few stops by the city bus or tram; Craiova Airport is ~10 km away, by taxi.
- Where to park
The museum has no car park of its own. In the centre you will find paid on-street parking and a few car parks nearby; check the zone and the rate on the signs on the spot. On days with events in the centre, spaces fill up quickly.
- Fees & discounts
Ticket without a guide: adults 30 lei, pensioners 15 lei, students 7.5 lei, pupils and pre-schoolers 7.5 lei; adult and pensioner tickets can also be bought online. Entry to the Constantin Brâncuși Centre is free, as is general access on the first Wednesday of every month and entry to the openings of temporary exhibitions. Guided tour, by appointment only: 150 lei in Romanian, 200 lei in English, French or Italian. A 20-minute photo session costs 300 lei Monday to Friday, 400 lei on Saturdays and Sundays. Exemptions: guides and accompanying teachers, people with disabilities and their companions, ICOM members, veterans, heroes of the Revolution and other categories set out in the regulations.
- Rules
Visits follow the museum’s regulations, available on the official website. As a rule, in an art museum you do not touch anything, photograph with flash or take food and drink into the galleries; bulky luggage goes in the cloakroom. Guided tours are given by appointment only.
- Facilities
museum shop · online tickets · guided tours in Romanian and foreign languages, by appointment · free access to the Constantin Brâncuși Centre · virtual tours on the museum’s website
Frequently asked questions about Craiova Art Museum
How much is a ticket to Craiova Art Museum?
A ticket to Craiova Art Museum costs 30 lei (pensioners 15, pupils 7.5 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Craiova Art Museum?
Opening hours at Craiova Art Museum: Monday closed, Tuesday–Sunday 10:00 – 17:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Craiova Art Museum take?
A visit to Craiova Art Museum takes about 1 – 1½ hours (estimate, without a guide).
Can you visit Craiova Art Museum with kids?
Yes, Craiova Art Museum is suitable for children (pupils pay 7.5 lei).
Where can I park at Craiova Art Museum?
There is paid parking at Craiova Art Museum (no car park of its own; in the centre). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Craiova Art Museum?
Craiova Art Museum is located at Calea Unirii 15, Craiova, Dolj County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Craiova Art Museum?
The best season for Craiova Art Museum: All year round (open all year).
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