Did you know? Fun facts about Craiova
A few things few people know about the city you are staying in. We have checked them all; the sources are at the end.
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The first Romanian team in a European semi-final
In 1983 Universitatea Craiova became the first Romanian club to play a European cup semi-final, in the UEFA Cup. They were knocked out by Benfica without losing a game: 0–0 in Lisbon and 1–1 in Craiova. [3]
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A park with a gold medal from Paris
The plans for Nicolae Romanescu Park, by French landscape architect Édouard Redont, won the gold medal at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair. The park opened in 1903 and covers about 90 hectares. [4]
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The most beautiful Christmas market in Europe
In 2025 the Craiova Christmas market came first in a European ranking of the most beautiful Christmas markets. [5]
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Michael the Brave was Ban of Craiova
Before becoming Prince of Wallachia and, in 1600, the first ruler of all three Romanian principalities, Michael the Brave was Ban of Craiova, the second most important office in the country. His statue dominates the central square named after him. [6]
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A million Ford Pumas made here
In May 2026 the one-millionth Ford Puma, Ford's best-selling car in Europe, rolled off the line at the Craiova plant. The model has been built here since 2019. [7]
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Romania’s second-oldest national theatre
The “Marin Sorescu” National Theatre was founded in 1850 and is the second-oldest national theatre in Romania. It turned 175 in 2025. [8]
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A treaty named after the city
On 7 September 1940 the treaty under which Romania ceded Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria was signed in Craiova. [9]
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More than 550 years of written history
Craiova first appears in a document in 1475, in a charter issued by Prince Laiotă Basarab. Its name most likely comes from the Slavonic “kral”, meaning “king”. [10]
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Casa Băniei, the oldest civil building
Rebuilt in 1699 by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu on the site of the Craiovești boyars’ houses, Casa Băniei is the oldest civil building in the city. Today it houses the ethnography department of the Museum of Oltenia. [11]
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A stadium for almost 31,000 fans
The Ion Oblemenco Stadium opened on 10 November 2017 and seats 30,983, making it the fourth-largest football stadium in Romania. [12]
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A university in a palace
The University of Craiova was founded in 1947 in the former Palace of Justice, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. [13]
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The university’s botanical garden
The “Alexandru Buia” Botanical Garden was founded in 1952 on the initiative of the professor it is named after, and belongs to the University of Craiova. [14]
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Trams only arrived in 1987
The first tram ran in Craiova on 24 September 1987, although work on a line had started back in 1942. Today new trams also run on the city’s lines. [15]
Sources
- Wikipedia – Constantin Brâncuși
- Lonely Planet – Art Museum, Craiova
- Sport.ro – Universitatea Craiova, 1983
- Adevărul – Parcul Romanescu
- Agerpres – Christmas markets ranking 2025
- Wikipedia – Great Banship of Craiova
- Romania Insider – one millionth Ford Puma
- Agerpres – 175 de ani de Teatru Național
- Wikipedia – Treaty of Craiova
- Puterea – 550 de ani de atestare documentară
- Ghidul muzeelor (cIMeC) – Casa Băniei
- Wikipedia – Ion Oblemenco Stadium
- Universitatea din Craiova – istoric
- Wikipedia – Craiova Botanical Garden
- Wikipedia – Tramways in Romania
The facts were checked in October 2026.
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