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University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is a tertiary educational institution in the city of Craiova, in south-western Romania. It was founded as the Faculty of Medicine in 1970 within the University of Craiova according to H.C.M. no. 59 of February 5, 1970. With nearly 300 teachers, organized into 15 departments and 77 courses, Faculty of Medicine prepares over 1,500 students annually over a 6-year cycle. In 1990, the Dentistry specialization was founded, followed by Pharmacy, in 1996. In 1998 the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova was founded, by detachment from the University of Craiova. Currently, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova is structured into four faculties: Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Midwives and Nursing. In 2020-2021 the university had 3894 active students with 640 of them being from foreign nationals and 2064 were budgeted.

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova ranking is characterized at a good level in terms of the education system of Craiova. The University of Medicine and Pharmacy ranking in-country is 35, and 8450 an international level.

The studies for the students of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova are completed through the degree examination, which is accredited in all E.U. member countries. Additionally, graduate students at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova have the option to continue with their residency, masters, and doctorate or postgraduate education if they wish to.

The research center of the University which cost over 17 million euros, is one of the most modern in the country as it was created in 2008. Among the other high technology equipment, the research center has a P.E.T - C.T., a cyclotron facility, a confocal laser endomicroscope, an optical coherence tomograph, as well as a real time P.C.R. device. Between 2015-2020 were published 1484 articles in ISI /Clarivate Analytics- listed journals, 12 books and 61 chapters by international publishers, 196 books by national publishers and the Hirsch Index- Web of Science/ Clarivate Analitycs it was 7272. In the same period of time a total number of 140 grants were obtained through national and international competitions with a total value of 18.500.000 Euro.

The University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, is collaborating with educational and research institutions from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Hungary, Moldova, Albania, Ukraine, Egypt, Georgia, and Japan. Between 2014-2021, were established inter-institutional agreements with 42 universities under the Erasmus Program, Action KA 103 and with 7 universities under Action KA 107. Additionally, it is a member of A.U.F. (Agence universitaire de la Francophonie), A.M.E.E. (Association for Medical Education in Europe), C.I.D.M.E.F. (Conférence Internationale des Doyens et des Facultés de Médecine d'Expression Française), A.M.S.E. (Association of Medical Schools in Europe) and S.I.D.A.-NET (Réseau d'information francophone sur le Sida).

Travel and Accomodation

You can arrive in Craiova either by car, bus, or train.

Trains and busses have similar arrival destination: North Central Train Station. From the station you can take a bus (line no. 1, you get in at Gara de Nord station and get down at Spitalul Nr.1 station) or you can take a taxi (keep in mind to select one of these companies: Romnicon (0351.421.919), PMI (0251.590.002), Favorit (0251.411.500)).

However, we recommend using the Bolt and Uber ride-sharing apps that are available in Craiova.

If you are coming by car, please follow the pin in the map below.

For accommodation, we have selected several hotels based on quality and distance to the event location: Ramada Plaza Craiova, Prestige Boutique Hotel Craiova, Pensiunea Belvedere, Hotel Green House, Hotel Helin Central, Plus Hotel, Central View, Hotel Euphoria.

Craiova Guided Tours

Let's discover together the shining face of one of the most beautiful cities in Romania with Craiova Guided Tours - the best way to get to know & love Craiova! Our certified tour guides will tell & show you all about the city's history, stories and legends while doing a walking tour through its historical buildings, touristic landmarks and elegant museums.

With the help of certified local guides, we organise on demand walking tours for Romanian & foreign tourists in Craiova. The tours mainly take place in the central area of the city and include information in English on: the history of the city and of the monuments we see, famous local people, urban legends etc. On request, our guides can facilitate visits to museums or entry in certain churches and historical buildings.

https://www.facebook.com/CraiovaGuidedTours
+40 743 203 299

About Craiova

Craiova, Romania's 6th largest city and capital of Dolj County, is situated near the east bank of the river Jiu in central Oltenia. It is a longstanding political center, and is located at approximately equal distances from the Southern Carpathians (north) and the River Danube (south). Craiova is the chief commercial city west of Bucharest and the most important city of Oltenia. The city prospered as a regional trading centre despite an earthquake in 1790, a plague in 1795, and a Turkish assault in 1802 during which it was burned.

There are two possible etymologies for Craiova: Old Slavonic kral ("king"), which has been borrowed in Romania as crai and Slavonic krajina ("border" or "edge").

Settlement there is of long standing. Close to the city archaeologists have discovered the remains of a Roman fortress built under Trajan. From the late 15th to the 18th century Craiova was the residence of the military governors of the region.

The period following the Independence War was a time of economic and cultural progress. As a result, at the end of the 19th century, the city of Craiova, with its 40,000 inhabitants, had developed small factories and textile factories. On October 26, 1896, the Craiova power station entered service and thus the city became the first in the country to be supplied with electric power by internal combustion engines

In the Interbelic period, the city, situated in an area eminently agricultural, was moving forward with too small steps toward the industrial way, in comparison with other urban areas of the country.

Starting with the 1960s the city becomes a powerful industrial center; it develops the industry of machine and tools construction, planes, the chemical industry, food industry, easy industry, of construction materials, electro technical, extractive, energetic industry.

The Romanian Revolution of 1989 led to important changes in economy, by realizing a free market and by decentralizing the management of all national economic sectors. During the post-Revolution period, telecommunication services, banking and insurance, management consulting (CDIMM, Romanian-American Center) began expanding. The number of joint ventures and the value of invested capital at county level have increased to large numbers — Dolj County being the first in respect to these aspects. Of the city's working population (about 110,000 persons), 38% are employed in industry, 15% in trade and repair services, 10% in transport and storage, 8% in education, 5.7% in the medical field. The vast majority of train locomotives currently in use in Romania have been manufactured at the "Electroputere" railway locomotives factory in Craiova.

The first school in Craiova was founded in 1759 by Constantin Obedeanu. In the spring of 1826 Obedeanu's school took the name “Școala Naţională de Limba Română” which means National School of Romanian Language. This was the second Romanian high school after Saint Sava high school in Bucharest (founded in 1818).

A strong economy, long academic tradition and wealth of important historical personalities including:

~ Prince Mihai Viteazu (Michael the Brave) - the ban (military governor) of Craiova who, in 1600, achieved the unification of Romanian principalities Walachia, Transylvania and Moldova,

~ world-famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi - who studied at Craiova Art School (Școla de Arte și Meserii),

~ Petrache Poenaru (1799 - 1875) - inventor of fountain pen

are associated with Craiova.

Also known as the ‘Safest City in Romania’, Craiova is blessed with charming architecture that reflects its history and culture.

The Church of Cosuna Monastery (15th century), is the oldest building preserved in Craiova. Another religious site, Madona Dudu Church, is renowned for its mural paintings, completed by painter Gheorghe Tattarescu (1818 – 1894).

A wealth of information and exhibits concerning Craiova history and traditions are available at the Museum of the Region of Oltenia (Muzeul Olteniei, housed in Casa Baniei (built in 1699) - the oldest non-religious building in Craiova.

Art lovers should definitely not miss Craiova Art Museum, hosted in Dinu Mihail Palace, designed in 1898 by French architect Paul Gottereau (neo-classic and late-Baroque style). Carrara marble, Murano crystal, Lyon silks and fine antique furniture have been used to construct and decorate the palace. One of Craiova's Art Museum main attractions is the room dedicated to sculptor Constantin Brâncuși.

At the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, Craiova's architecture underwent a transformation with the creation of the Brâncovenesc style, a combination of Romanian traditional art, Byzantine and Venetian elements. Structures displaying elements of the Brâncovenesc style include: Saint Ilie Church (Biserica Sfantu Ilie), built in 1720, the All Saints Church (Biserica Tuturor Sfintilor) built in 1700, the Old Saint Gheorghe Church / (Biserica Sfantu Gheorghe Vechi) built in 1730, Obedeanu Monastery (Manastirea Obedeanu) built in 1747, the Mântuleasa Church (Biserica Mântuleasa) (1786), Saint Nicolas Church (Biserica Sfântul Nicolae) built in 1794.

Jitianu Monastery (located 5 miles south of the city centre), is home to a rich collection of medieval art objects.

Must-sees for nature lovers are Nicolae Romanescu Park (250 acres - the second-largest in Romania) and Craiova Botanical Garden. Completed in 1903, Nicolae Romanescu park is a fine example of landscape architecture. The plans of the park, designed by French architect Emile Rendont, were awarded the gold medal at the 1900 World Fair.

Craiova Christmas Market (2021) was selected by European Best Destinations among the 20 Best Christmas Markets in Europe.

The main town attraction are listed below

  1. Nicolae Romanescu Park (Parcul Romanescu), Nicolae Romanescu. 24hrs. A special sight in Craiova is represented by "Nicolae Romanescu" Park, with its picturesque character. Unique in Romania, this valuable architectural monument is also one of the most interesting accomplishments of its kind in Europe. Displayed at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, in 1900, the park's plans received the Golden Medal. The works began in 1901, under the supervision of the project's author, assisted by artists Jules Redont (his brother) and Emil Pinard. For two years, 50,000 seedlings of ornamental trees and shrubs, from among which many species difficult to adapt to our climate were planted. Thus, the park began to take shape: the lake and the two islands, the river, bridges, small waterfalls, alleys, "The Suspended Bridge", with its two gorgeous porticos, "The Enchanted Castle", "The Circular Hall", the deers' pen and the bears' cave, the pier and the restaurant on the bank of the lake, pavilions, greenhouses, imitations of rocks and tree trunks made of armoured-concrete. The park's inauguration took place in May 1903, and the celebrations caused by the event lasted for two weeks. Conceived and created like a romantic park with a surface of 90 ha, plus the lakes (4 ha) and the racecourse (20 ha), the park is unique in Romania, in its own way. Moreover, this is the second largest park of its kind in Europe, and the racecourse is the biggest in the Balkan area. In 1956, it was enclosed with a fence, the monumental portal at the main entrance being built at the same time.
  2. Craiova Art Museum (Muzeul de Arta), str. Unirii, nr.15 (Close to Prefecturii Square.), ☏ +40 251 412342. 10-17. The Art Museum of Craiova is located in the sumptuous palace of the former magnate Jean Mihail. Built between 1899-1907, according to the plans of the French arhitect Paul Gottereau, the palace represents, stylistically, a rather free interpretation of the late baroque. The wealth of the patrimony, the quite elegant backgrround, with Venetian mirrors, candelabrums of Murano crystal, Carrara marble staircases, walls with tapestry of Lyon silk, but specially the particular way the objects are displayed, have brought it to the attention of the visitors. At the origin of the museum is the "Alexandru and Aristia Aman" pinacotec, founded in 1905 and sheltered in the house of the Lăceanu family (Aristia's parents). Along the years, acquisitions by the City Hall or donations have been added: Cornetti, Glogoveanu, N.Romanescu, Jean Mihail. Taken over by the Museum of Oltenia in 1950, this rich fund was removed, in 1954, to the present center turned into the Art Museum. The Museum is organized in three sections: (1) The European art Gallery (the Dutch, Flemish, French and Italian schools), located in five rooms on the ground floor of the palace; (2) The Romanian Art Gallery(from feudal to contemporary art), on the first floor; and (3) The Brancusi room with masterpieces from the youth of the great sculptor: Vitellius, Vainglory, Head, Fragment of Torso, The Kiss and Melle Pogany.
  3. National Theater Marin Sorescu (Teatrul National Marin Sorescu), str. Alexandru Ioan Cuza, nr. 11. The Craiova National Theater "Marin Sorescu" is an internationally renowned institution. Every two years theater troupes and theater lovers from all around the world come to participate in the International Shakespeare Festival.
  4. The Museum of Oltenia (Muzeul Olteniei), Str. Popa Şapcă nr.8. It is located in three different buildings that host three different exhibitions. The building from str. Popa Şapcă nr.8 is where the Nature Science Museum and a traditional pottery shop are located. In the building from str. Madona Dudu nr. 14 the history and archaeology exhibition is located, with a new build wing. The building from str. Matei Basarab nr.16 is one of the oldest in the city, built in the 15th century. Here the ethnography exhibition is located Museum of Oltenia.
  5. Mihai Viteazu Square. An entire ensemble of artesian wells, vases with verdure, and decorative plants greet you in this central plaza wherein also lie the statue of Mihai Viteazu and a musical fountain and a formal English garden to the east. The musical fountain in Craiova is unique in the country as design.
  6. Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Demetrius, Strada Matei Basarab. Nice pinstriped church, Romanian Orthodox, though constructed in 1933, inhabits a former site of a church from 1651.
  7. Alexandru Buia Botanical Garden, Str. Constantin Lecca nr. 26 (Second tram station from University, when going to West.). 06:00-23:00. Nice park with many interesting plants representative of flora from across Romania.