# Marin Sorescu National Theatre

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Oltenia](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/oltenia) › [Dolj County](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/county/dolj) › [Craiova](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/city/craiova)

> The modernist building of the Craiova National Theatre, inaugurated in 1973 to designs by the architect Alexandru Iotzu: a broad foyer, monumental steps and the Amza Pellea hall, in an institution founded in 1850.

**At a glance:** Monuments and historic sites in Craiova, Dolj County. The visit takes 2 – 2½ hours. Information verified on 7 November 2026.

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** The ticket agency is open Monday to Friday 11:00–19:00, Saturday and Sunday 12:00–19:00. Performances take place in the theatre's halls according to the repertoire on the website; tickets can also be bought online, on the theatre's platform. The building can be visited during performances and events, at their hours.
- **Visit duration:** 2 – 2½ hours — the length of a performance
- **With kids:** Yes — check the recommended age
- **Parking:** Yes, paid — on the streets in the centre
- **Best season:** All year round
- **Address:** Alexandru Ioan Cuza Street no. 11, Craiova, Dolj County
- **Coordinates:** 44.31917, 23.79917
- **Phone:** +40 251 413 677
- **Website:** https://tncms.ro/
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Theater_Craiova
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3826776
- **Categories:** [Monuments and historic sites](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/monuments-and-historic-sites)

## About Marin Sorescu National Theatre

The Craiova National Theatre, founded in 1850, is the second oldest of Romania's national theatres, after the one in Iași. It has played in several buildings: the theatre raised after the fire of 1856 and opened in 1857 burned down in 1927, and the company then used the hall of a school in the city. The present building, designed by the architect Alexandru Iotzu, was inaugurated on 21 April 1973 and carries the name of the writer Marin Sorescu.

The construction is an example of 1970s modernist architecture: a broad volume with a cantilevered roof, a wide glass façade at foyer level and, above it, the stage tower with fluted vertical walls. In front of the entrance, wide stone steps descend towards the boulevard, between lawns, trimmed shrubs and plinths with busts. The building is a landmark of Craiova's centre, a few hundred metres from Mihai Viteazul Square.

### What you can see

From outside you see the glass façade, the stage tower and the monumental steps, which also serve as a meeting place before performances. Inside, at a performance, you enter through the spacious foyer, from which you reach the performance halls: the “Amza Pellea” Hall, the “Ion D. Sîrbu” Hall and the Atelier Hall. The daily programme and the halls are given in the theatre's repertoire.

### Good to know

A project of consolidation, modernisation and energy upgrading is planned for the building, financed through the Council of Europe Development Bank; the tender for the works was launched in 2026. Once works begin, the halls in use and the performance schedule may change, so it is worth checking the repertoire and the hall before buying a ticket.

## Don't miss

- The wide glass façade and the stage tower with fluted vertical walls, an example of 1970s modernist architecture.
- The monumental steps in front of the entrance, descending towards the boulevard between lawns and plinths with busts.
- A performance in the “Amza Pellea” Hall, the theatre's main hall.
- The spacious foyer, from which you reach the three performance halls.
- Mihai Viteazul Square and the old centre, a few hundred metres away.

## Good to know before you go

### Getting there

**By car:** the theatre is in the centre of Craiova, ~0.6 km from Mihai Viteazul Square (~8 min on foot), ~2 km from Craiova railway station (~4 min by car, ~27 min on foot) and ~8 km from Craiova International Airport (~14 min).

### Where to park

Around the theatre you park on the streets of the centre, paid. On performance evenings the spaces fill up quickly; it is more comfortable to walk from the centre.

### Fees & discounts

The ticket price depends on the show and the seat; tickets are bought online or at the theatre's ticket agency.

### Rules

For performances you arrive a few minutes before the start, and phones are switched off in the hall. Photography and filming during the performance are generally forbidden; the specific conditions are announced at each show.

### Facilities

ticket agency · online tickets

## Details

- **Historical period:** 1973

## Frequently asked questions about Marin Sorescu National Theatre

**How long does a visit to Marin Sorescu National Theatre take?**

A visit to Marin Sorescu National Theatre takes about 2 – 2½ hours (the length of a performance).

**Can you visit Marin Sorescu National Theatre with kids?**

Yes, Marin Sorescu National Theatre is suitable for children (check the recommended age).

**Where can I park at Marin Sorescu National Theatre?**

There is paid parking at Marin Sorescu National Theatre (on the streets in the centre). More under “Where to park”.

**How do I get to Marin Sorescu National Theatre?**

Marin Sorescu National Theatre is located at Alexandru Ioan Cuza Street no. 11, Craiova, Dolj County. More under “Getting there”.

**When is the best time to visit Marin Sorescu National Theatre?**

The best season for Marin Sorescu National Theatre: All year round.

## Nearby attractions

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## Featured in the guides

- [Things to do in Craiova: what to see in one day, in the centre and in the parks](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/guides/things-to-do-in-craiova) — Mihai Viteazul Square, the Art Museum with Brâncuși (30 lei), Casa Băniei, St Demetrius Cathedral, Romanescu Park with a free zoo. In winter, with kids.
- [Craiova Christmas Market: opening hours, dates and what to find in 2026](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/guides/christmas-market-craiova) — Craiova Christmas Market 2026: 13 November – 3 January 2027 in Mihai Viteazul Square, free entry. “Land of the Elves” theme, attractions, parking, kids.

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Last updated: 7 November 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania