Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing
About Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing
At Golești, a village of the town of Ștefănești some 10 km east of Pitești, the court of the Golescu boyars houses a museum with two sections: the family manor with the buildings inside its walls, and an open-air ethnographic museum devoted to wine growing and fruit growing.
The manor was built in 1640 by Vișa of Golești and her husband, the grand treasurer Stroe Leurdeanu: a massive arched cellar, a masonry ground floor and a light timber upper floor with the ballroom. Several moments of the country's history took place here. In May 1821 Tudor Vladimirescu was arrested by the Eterists in the gate tower; in 1826 Dinicu Golescu reopened the school for the village children; the Golescu brothers prepared the Revolution of 1848 here, and in May 1866 the manor hosted Carol I, just arrived in the country. The ensemble was restored in 1942–1944 to plans by the architect Horia Teodoru and then became a museum.
Since 1966 more than 30 farmsteads from the country's main wine- and fruit-growing areas have been brought here and rebuilt next to the walls, on some 10 hectares, with houses, cellars, plum-brandy stills, wine presses and original furnishings.
What you can see
In the manor, the rooms recreate the family's life from the late 18th to the early 20th century: the ladies' drawing room, the Golescu brothers' study, Zinca Golescu's room, the oriental room and the winter drawing room, with the throne of the kings of Romania and King Carol I's desk. Inside the walled enclosure with its corner towers there are also the Turkish bath, the infirmary founded by Ban Radu Golescu, the school and the gate tower, with weapons from the time of the pandurs. The park around the manor has a pavilion and a small lake.
In the open-air section the lanes lead among wooden houses roofed with shingles or reed, cellars, plum-brandy stills and boundary crosses, past a wooden church from 1814 brought from Drăguțești and the crossroads inn from Posești, from around 1860.
Information verified on 26 October 2026.
- The manor's winter drawing room, with the throne of the kings of Romania and King Carol I's desk.
- The gate tower, now the museum entrance, where Tudor Vladimirescu was arrested by the Eterists in May 1821.
- The Turkish bath inside the walls and the infirmary where Ban Radu Golescu provided in his will for the care of the village's sick and elderly.
- The crossroads inn from Posești, from around 1860, with its counter, small casks and guest rooms preserved.
- The wooden church from 1814, brought from Drăguțești in 1968, with the names of its founders and craftsmen carved into the oak.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Pitești head east on the DN7 towards Topoloveni and after ~10 km turn right onto Strada Radu Golescu (DC75), signposted with the museum's boards; the museum is 1 km further on the right: ~11 km, ~20 minutes. From Bucharest, take the A1 motorway to the Topoloveni exit, then the DN7 towards Pitești for ~7 km and turn left onto Strada Radu Golescu: ~114 km, ~1 h 30.
Public transport: bus M4 (Pitești – Gara Golești) runs from Pitești. By train, get off at Golești station, ~5 minutes' walk from the museum.
- Where to park
The museum has its own car park next to the entrance.
- Fees & discounts
Adult ticket: 15 lei; children, pupils, students, pensioners: 7 lei; children under 3 enter free. Guided tour on request: 50 lei in Romanian, 100 lei in English or French (up to 2 hours), free for groups of at least 25 people. Audio guide: 25 lei. Craft workshop: 10 lei, on top of the entry ticket. Zip line: 7 lei a ride; pony: 15 lei / 10 minutes; horse riding: 35 lei / 30 minutes; carriage ride: 50 lei / 30 minutes. Photo shoot: 250 lei an hour. The museum is also included in the Argeș Turist Pass.
- Rules
Guided tours and craft workshops must be booked at least 7 days in advance, and horse riding and carriage rides only by appointment. Smoking is not allowed and the exhibits must not be touched; children must not be left unsupervised. The grounds and exhibitions are under video surveillance. Professional photo shoots and filming carry a separate fee.
- Facilities
souvenir shop · playgrounds · zip line · horse riding and carriage (by appointment) · audio guide
Frequently asked questions about Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing
- How much is a ticket to Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing?
- A ticket to Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing costs 15 lei (pupils, pensioners 7 lei). Adult ticket: 15 lei; children, pupils, students, pensioners: 7 lei; children under 3 enter free. Guided tour on request: 50 lei in Romanian, 100 lei in English or French (up to 2 hours), free for groups of at least 25 people. Audio guide: 25 lei. Craft workshop: 10 lei, on top of the entry ticket. Zip line: 7 lei a ride; pony: 15 lei / 10 minutes; horse riding: 35 lei / 30 minutes; carriage ride: 50 lei / 30 minutes. Photo shoot: 250 lei an hour. The museum is also included in the Argeș Turist Pass.
- What are the opening hours of Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing?
- Opening hours at Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing: daily 09:00 – 18:00. Summer (1 April – 31 October): daily, 9:00–18:00, last entry at 17:30. Winter (1 November – 31 March): daily, 8:00–16:00, last entry at 15:30. Guided tours and workshops must be booked at least 7 days in advance.
- How long does a visit to Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing take?
- A visit to Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing takes about 2 – 2½ hours (the manor and the open-air section).
- Can you visit Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing with kids?
- Yes, Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing is suitable for children (playgrounds, zip line).
- How do I get to Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing?
- Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing is located at Strada Radu Golescu 34, Golești, Ștefănești, Argeș County. By car: from Pitești head east on the DN7 towards Topoloveni and after ~10 km turn right onto Strada Radu Golescu (DC75), signposted with the museum's boards; the museum is 1 km further on the right: ~11 km, ~20 minutes. From Bucharest, take the A1 motorway to the Topoloveni exit, then the DN7 towards Pitești for ~7 km and turn left onto Strada Radu Golescu: ~114 km, ~1 h 30. Public transport: bus M4 (Pitești – Gara Golești) runs from Pitești. By train, get off at Golești station, ~5 minutes' walk from the museum.
- When is the best time to visit Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing?
- The best season for Golești Museum of Viticulture and Fruit Growing: April – October (in autumn, at the grape harvest).
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