Bucharest

National Art Museum

  Calea Victoriei 49-53 ,   Piata Revolutiei          (+4) 021 313 30 30     more than a year ago

The country's largest, and most impressive art collection is housed inside the splendid former Royal Palace, first built in 1812 as a private home by the wealthy trader Dinicu Golescu. When his sons fell into financial ruin some years later, they were forced to sell the building to the state, which carried out huge modifications, adding a number of new wings. It became a royal residence in 1859, when it became the site of the court of the first prince of the united principalities, Alexandru Ion Cuza. Although slightly remodelled in the 1930s, the building we see today is more or less the original. There are two permanent galleries, split over three floors of the main building. National Art (itself divided into Medieval Romanian Art - featuring icons, carved altars, illustrated manuscripts and bibles, and fragments of frescoes, and Modern Romanian Art, with all of Romania’s greatest 20th-century artists well represented, including Theodor Aman, Constantin Brancuşi, Gheorghe Patraşcu, and Gheorghe Tattarescu); and European Paintings and Sculpture, which plays host to a fine collection of Old European Masters from all of the major schools. The museum also hosts a decent selection of temporary exhibitions.

The museum is increasingly trying to attract visitors to the amazing palace itself, opening up the former royal living quarters and throne room to guided tours on occasional weekends. These tours (which cost 20 lei per person) have been immensely popular and usually take place on the third weekend of every month (the next being December 16-17). You do not need to reserve a place on a tour in advance, but you should buy tickets at least 15 minutes before each tour starts. There are three on each day, at 11.30, 14.00 and 16.30.

Website

Social Links:

Tel / Fax

(+4) 021 313 30 30 / (+4) 021 312 43 27

Open

Open May-September 11:00-19:00. Closed Mon, Tue. Open October-April 10.00-18.00. Closed Mon, Tue. Open until 22:00 on the last Friday of each month.

Price/Additional Info

Admission 25 lei (adults) 10 lei (children, pensioners). Ticket includes the Gallery of European Art and The National Gallery. For 30 lei you can purchase a dual ticket also valid at the Art Collections Museum. Free on the first Wednesday of the month. Royal Quarters tours on the third Sat, Sun of every month at 11.30, 14.00 and 16.30. Tours cost 20 lei for adults, 10 lei for concessions.

Comments

Connect via social media
google sign in button
Leave a comment using your email This e-mail address is not valid
Please enter your name*

Please share your location

Enter your message*
09.04.2015
Elena
Santa Barbara, CA
I was a little scared to go on this first Wednesday of April (thinking the free admission would mean a big line). So, I went on Thursday instead and was pleasantly surprised to find practically nobody in the museum. I had it to myself, which was a treat after being in the Louvre the prior week. Well worth every penny. The direction of each floor is not quite clear, but the workers there are pretty good about guiding you through the various rooms. I was able to see everything in a couple of hours. Beware that the combined ticket you buy is for the museum entrance on the left and right of the building. The middle entrance is another exhibit altogether and requires an additional ticket purchased. This part is not clearly marked as to which entrance is for what part of the museum.
Put our app in your pocket
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more here. AGREE
Top