Nicolae Romanescu Park

The first sight that greets you at the park entrance is the Glorieta — officially called the "Belvedere Dome" — a circular pavilion of unique elegance, built between 1901 and 1903. With slender cast-iron columns and a dome-shaped roof, surrounded by manicured gardens, the Glorieta is the most photographed spot in the park.

Fascinating curiosity: The Glorieta was almost faithfully inspired by the Temple of the Sibyl (Templetto) in Buttes-Chaumont Park, Paris — architect Redont reproduced the circular structure on columns, adapting it to local taste. However, the construction in Craiova has its own charm: it is built on a small promontory, offering a splendid view over the surrounding alleys and the park entrance.

Ideal for a moment of meditation or for photos in the morning light, the Glorieta is the perfect place to plan your route through the park before setting off.

The heart of Romanescu Park is the artificial lake, a water mirror of over 4 hectares that reflects the sky, the trees, and the silhouette of the Suspension Bridge. The lake is not just a simple basin — it's a complex water system: a chain of ponds with water lilies linked by small waterfalls, rustic bridges, and islands covered in vegetation, accessible by crossing two bridges.

The lake hosts a rich world: waterfowl (ducks, swans, herons), fish, turtles, and, in warm seasons, white water lilies that float solemnly on the water surface. On the banks, cast-iron benches — similar to those in Buttes-Chaumont Park — invite you to peace.

The main attraction: boating — an unforgettable romantic experience, accessible from the established pier. The fee is modest, and rowing sessions on the lake with the view of the Suspension Bridge overhead are among the most beautiful moments Craiova can offer.

The Enchanted Castle is perhaps the sight with the most hidden story in the whole park. It was never a real castle — but a decorative roof built in a romantic style to camouflage the technical water basins that supplied and irrigated the artificial lake. Architect Redont transformed a banal hydraulic necessity into an unforgettable attraction point.

Located on one of the park's artificial hills, right next to the Suspension Bridge, the castle offers a superb view over the lake and the surrounding alleys. Its stone and brick construction, with turrets and Gothic windows, exactly recalls childhood fairy tales — which is why generations of Craiovans named it "Enchanted".

Today, it houses a restaurant with a summer terrace — an excellent place for a break with a view at the end of your walk through the park. A mulled wine (in winter) or a lemonade in the shade of the castle walls (in summer) perfectly completes the experience.

The Suspension Bridge is the absolute icon of Romanescu Park and the defining image of Craiova — the most photographed sight in the city after the Jean Mihail Palace. Built between 1901 and 1902, it connects two artificial hills above the lake, suspended by metal cables and wrought iron.

Crossing it is a complete sensory experience: your steps produce a slight sway, the view from the bridge reveals the lake in all its splendor, with islands, water lilies, and boats below, while the fresh air and birdsong transport you away from the urban bustle. It is the only suspension bridge of this type in Romania.

Inspired by the suspension bridges of Buttes-Chaumont Park in Paris, the Craiovan bridge was adapted to the local context by Édouard Redont. The cement balustrades imitating tree branches — an element specific to the French romantic landscape style — are found identically in both parks, 2,000 kilometers apart.

Inaugurated in the same year as the park — 1903 — the Craiova Hippodrome was built after the model of major French hippodromes and was, at its opening, the largest hippodrome in Romania, covering 20 hectares. It was intended for trotting and galloping races, attracting Craiova's aristocracy and bourgeoisie to cavalry shows.

Over time, its purpose has changed: after World War II, the front grandstand was converted into a field for show jumping competitions. Today, the hippodrome hosts an active riding school — where beautiful horses can be seen practicing on the track.

There are modernization plans for the hippodrome, along with the nearby velodrome. For horse and riding lovers, it is possible to watch training sessions or inquire about available lessons on-site.

Inaugurated in 1906, three years after the park opened, the Zoo in Romanescu Park is one of the oldest zoos in Romania. For over a century and two decades, generations of Craiovans have brought their children to see exotic animals that otherwise only remained in books.

The current collection includes an impressive variety of species: jaguar, tiger, bear, lion, wolf, llama, mountain goat, deer, mouflon, brown capuchin monkey, wild boar, Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, nutria and many others. There are also native Romanian species, presented in naturalist-style enclosures.

The Zoo is undergoing modernization — there are plans to rehabilitate the enclosures to bring them closer to current European standards. It is the favorite destination for families with small children, who can spend 1–2 unforgettable hours among the animals.