Marin Sorescu National Theatre
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.
- 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
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.
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