Nicolae Simache Clock Museum
About Nicolae Simache Clock Museum
The Nicolae Simache Clock Museum (Muzeul Ceasului) is a department of the Prahova County Museum of History and Archaeology and shows the evolution of timekeeping devices, from the middle of the 16th century to the first half of the 20th. It was founded in 1963 by Professor Nicolae Simache (1905–1972) and at first occupied a room in the Palace of Culture. The collection grew until it needed premises of its own, so it was given the Luca Elefterescu House, adapted for the museum; it opened here in January 1972.
The building is an architectural monument from the late 19th century, built for the magistrate and politician Luca Elefterescu. It broadly keeps its original architecture and decoration, with steep roofs and a corner turret, and the first owner's initials can still be seen in the ironwork of the entrance doors. The holdings number almost 3,000 pieces, of which around 550 are on display.
What you can see
The exhibition follows the types of time indicators in chronological order: sundials, hourglasses and sand timers, furniture clocks, mantel clocks, wall clocks, pocket watches and travelling clocks. The oldest pieces are two astronomical table clocks from 1544 and 1562; among the notable items are a water clock made in London in 1654 and a salon clock with astronomical dials signed in Amsterdam.
Pocket watches are the largest category, with enamelled, engraved or painted cases and names such as Breguet, Julien Le Roy, Omega, Longines and Doxa. There are also animated picture clocks, such as “The Blacksmith's Clock” and “The Circus Arena”, curiosity clocks, cylinder music boxes, gramophones and mechanical birds more than a century old, many still working, as well as clocks that belonged to notable figures, among them Al. I. Cuza, Mihail Kogălniceanu, King Carol I and Nicolae Titulescu. The exhibition also uses interactive applications: a hologram of a pendulum clock, video mapping and augmented reality.
Good to know
Some old clocks are stopped for 23 hours when the clocks go back in autumn, so that their mechanisms are not forced. In the museum's courtyard stands a bust of Nicolae Simache, in a garden with a clock made of flowers.
Information verified on 28 October 2026.
- The astronomical table clocks of 1544 and 1562, the oldest in the collection.
- The pocket watches, with signatures such as Breguet, Julien Le Roy, Omega or Longines.
- The animated picture clocks and the musical mechanisms, many still working.
- The clocks that belonged to Cuza, Kogălniceanu, King Carol I and Nicolae Titulescu.
- The Luca Elefterescu House, an architectural monument from the late 19th century.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Ploiești is ~76 km from the centre of Bucharest, ~1 hour on the A3 motorway, and ~112 km from Brașov, ~2 hours on the DN1 through Sinaia. The museum is in the town centre, on Strada Nicolae Simache, close to the Palace of Culture; you cover the last stretch on the central streets.
Public transport: Ploiești Sud railway station is ~1.3 km from the museum and Ploiești Vest ~5 km, by taxi or city transport; there are frequent trains from Bucharest to Ploiești. From the centre the museum is a few minutes' walk.
- Where to park
Street parking in the centre of Ploiești is usually paid, and spaces fill up quickly on weekdays. There are several public car parks around the museum, a few minutes' walk away.
- Fees & discounts
Adult ticket 50 lei; pensioners and revolution heroes 25 lei; children, pupils and students 12.5 lei. Admission is free for group guides and accompanying teachers, war veterans, Romanian state scholarship holders, ethnic Romanian pupils and students from outside the country, people with special needs or disabilities and their companions, children up to 3 years old, museum staff (ICOM members), official cultural delegations and press representatives with accreditation. A guided tour, on request, costs 50 lei per person or group in Romanian and 70 lei in English. The photography fee is 70 lei for 30 minutes and the filming fee 250 lei per hour in daytime. Tickets can also be bought online.
- Rules
The visit is self-guided or with a guide on request. Professional photography and filming are charged. Do not touch the exhibits and follow the instructions of the gallery staff.
- Facilities
Online tickets · guided tours in Romanian and English on request · interactive applications in the exhibition
Frequently asked questions about Nicolae Simache Clock Museum
How much is a ticket to Nicolae Simache Clock Museum?
A ticket to Nicolae Simache Clock Museum costs 50 lei (pupils 12.5, pensioners 25 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Nicolae Simache Clock Museum?
Opening hours at Nicolae Simache Clock Museum: Monday closed, Tuesday–Sunday 09:00 – 17:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Nicolae Simache Clock Museum take?
A visit to Nicolae Simache Clock Museum takes about ½ – 1 hours (a few rooms of clocks).
Can you visit Nicolae Simache Clock Museum with kids?
Yes, Nicolae Simache Clock Museum is suitable for children (animated and musical clocks).
Where can I park at Nicolae Simache Clock Museum?
There is paid parking at Nicolae Simache Clock Museum (on the streets in the centre). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Nicolae Simache Clock Museum?
Nicolae Simache Clock Museum is located at Strada Nicolae Simache nr. 1, Ploiești, Prahova County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Nicolae Simache Clock Museum?
The best season for Nicolae Simache Clock Museum: All year round (open all year).
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