It is Craiova's best-known sight and one of the largest historic parks in Romania; it has 4.7 on Google from more than 19,000 reviews.
About the place
The park was laid out on the site of the garden of the boyar Iancu Bibescu, created in the 1840s. At the initiative of mayor Nicolae P. Romanescu, the architect Édouard Redont redesigned it: his plans won the gold medal at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition, and the park opened in 1903. The town hall still keeps the design of the benches ordered at the time, with iron frames and wooden backs.
The park has more than 4 ha of lakes, with boats and an island reached by bridges, paths totalling over 35 km, a racecourse and one of the oldest zoos in Romania, opened in 1906. The suspension bridge, from 1901–1902, links two hills, and the 'Enchanted Castle', built in 1905, hides the park's water tower.
Good to know
- Enter through the main gate on Bulevardul Nicolae Romanescu and walk up to the suspension bridge and the castle.
- Allow 2–3 hours for a full walk; the paths add up to more than 35 km.
- From the centre it is about a 40-minute walk or 10 minutes by taxi.
Opening hours
Opening hours are not confirmed. Check the venue's website before you go.