GENERALITIES

Craiova is one of the largest cities in Romania. It has a population of 302.934 in habitants. It is the municipality of Dolj county. It is situated in the south - west of Romania

HISTORY

Craiova is situated on the vestiges of an antique Daco-Roman settlement Pelendava, attested by documents in TABULA PENTINGERIANA - a map drawn during the Roman domination over Dacia (106 - 275 A.D). The city was mentioned (attested by documents) under the name of Craiova at the 1st of June 1475. The importance of the town had grown since 1491 when it become the capital of Oltenia's region. In the Middle Ages, Craiova was situated at the cross-roads of the commercial paths that led to Transylvania, Italy, the Dalmatian Coast, the Ottoman Empire. Its economical development made possible the construction of some important buildings: The Jitianu Monastery (1654 - 1658), The Church "Saint Dumitru" (erected in the XVI -th century) and The House of Banie(the XV -th century).It has to be mentioned that the first unification of the three Romanian provinces: Wallachia, Moldavia an Transylvania, was accomplished by Mihai the Brave (1594 - 1600). Before being a ruling prince he was The Great Ban of Craiova. In his political and military actions, Mihai was supported by the boyar families Craiovesti and Buzesti from Craiova. The town had a distinguished personality among the towns of the country especially in the Modern Age. In 1821, Craiova was the heart of the revolution led by Tudor Vladimirescu and in 1848 it was the temporary residence of the Provisional Government. The first revolutionary army "The National Guard" was organised in 1848 in Craiova, and in 1857 Craiova was one of the three towns that had prepared the unification of Moldavia with Wallachia. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Craiova continued to develop rapidly: in 1859, the illumination based on gas lamp was introduced; in 1895, The Opera Theatre was the first building that used the electric light; in 1895, the town had its first power station.

CULTURE

Craiova has a university that comprises 14 faculties and 2 colleges, attended by 16.615 students (January 1996) in the following fields: the human sciences, technical, economical, juridical, medical, agricultural, theological and sports.
Being an important cultural centre, Craiova contributed to the development of an impressive member of personalities: Constantin Brancusi, Alexandru Macedonski, Gheorghe Titeica, Nicolae Titulescu, Ion Tuculescu, Henri Coanda, Gogu Constantinescu.
Since 1992, the theatrical world has been impressed by the amazing performances presented by The National Theatre of Craiova, under the guidance of Silviu Purcarete - producer, which rediscovers, with a simplity full of greatness that belongs to the antique theatre, the tragedy of the human existence, beyond the limits of time or space. Some of its performance as: "Ubu Rex with Macbeth scenes", "Titus Andronicus", "Phaedra" received international prizes in Europe, Japan, Australia, The United States.
There are also other famous institutions of culture in Craiova: The "Oltenia Philarmonics" - founded in 1850, The Opera House with opera and light opera performances - founded in 1861, The Puppet Theatre - built in 1949,The Museum of Oltenia - founded in 1915, The "Theodor Aman"Art Museum (which exhibits masterpieces of Constantin Brancusi - the greatest Romanian sculptor namely: "The Kiss", "Head of a child" or "Miss Pogany").
Craiova's points of tourist attraction are represented by old buildings and architectural monuments, the museums, The Botanical Garden (17 ha), Romanescu Park - laid out in 1903, in a romantic style, by the architect E. Redont, who won with the plans of this park the golden medal at the International Exhibition from Paris in 1900. A bridge in miniature was built in this park, which was the first cable suspension bridge constructed in Europe.

ECONOMY

Craiova is one of the greatest industrial centres of Romania, even in the difficult conditions of the transition to a market economy. There are several large and important factories and plants in Craiova, where the state capital still represents a majority. They have a various range of products: electrotechnical equipment, electric locomotives, military planes, tractors and agricultural machines, cars, ready-made clothes, fertilisers. For all these factories and plants the changes in structure and of technologies are absolute priorities in the conditions on an insufficient capitalisation.
A greater number of private companies have been developing a productive activity, lately. For their support The European Economic Community financed the foundation of The Centre for the Development of Small and Middle Enterprises, as a non-governmental, non-profit and non-political Romanian juridical person of private low.
It worthies to mention that the greatest foreign investment in Romania made by the South-Corean Company DAEWOO, led to the foundation of a joint venture car - production company RODAE.
The telecommunication system in Craiova has had a qualitative leap by the installing in 1994 of the first digital station and by the collaboration with the famous company ALCATEL. The same company already installed the first section of optical cable.
Craiova is an important road and railway junction, being situated at the half - distance between Bucharest, the capital of Romania and Timisoara, with links to Transylvania, Jiu Valley and Olt Valley. The Paris - Istanbul highway which is foreseen to be constructed, will cross Craiova. The banking system has strongly been developed after 1989. The most important banks of Romania have branches in Craiova: The National Bank of Romania, The Romanian Commercial Bank, The Romanian Bank for External Trade, The Agricultural Bank, The Romanian Bank for Development, Banckoop. To all these, some private banks have joined: The Commercial Bank "Ion Tiriac", "BankPost", The International Bank of Religions, Transylvania Bank, Leuti Trading International Bank, "The Revival of Romanian Loan".