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Museums #26 in Bucharest

National Museum of Romanian History

4.4 · 7,568 reviews
Formal and educational.
National Museum of Romanian History, Calea Victoriei 12, București 030026, Romania
Interesting facts
1

The building was designed to resemble the Postal Palace in Geneva, Switzerland.

2

The replica of Trajan's Column was commissioned by the Romanian government to preserve the history of the Daco-Roman wars.

3

The Pietroasele Treasure includes a distinctive gold bird-shaped brooch decorated with semi-precious stones.

4

The museum holds the 'Curta de Argeș' princely crown, one of the few examples of medieval Romanian royal regalia.

5

The building features an inner courtyard that served as the original distribution hub for the city's mail service.

6

The museum's numismatic collection contains coins spanning from the Greek colonial period to the post-1989 era.

Overview

The National Museum of Romanian History is housed in the former Postal Palace, a monumental neoclassical building constructed in the early 20th century. It safeguards the Romanian National Treasury, a permanent exhibition featuring gold and silver artifacts from prehistoric times to the modern era. The museum’s collection includes the Pietroasele Treasure, a famous hoard of 4th-century Gothic gold objects. Visitors can view the Trajan's Column replica, a massive plaster cast created in Rome in the 1930s that documents the Roman conquest of Dacia. The institution manages extensive archaeological, numismatic, and historical document collections. The structure itself is a historic monument designed by architect Alexandru Săvulescu, reflecting European postal architecture of the period. Ongoing structural restoration efforts have intermittently restricted access to certain sections of the building. The museum remains a primary repository for artifacts defining the national identity of Romania.

Photo spot

The monumental neoclassical staircase and main lobby, which retain the grandeur of the original postal headquarters.

Insider tips

Check the official website before arrival, as sections of the building are occasionally closed for extensive structural renovations.

Focus your visit on the Treasury room, as it contains the most significant artifacts on permanent display.

Take time to examine the architectural details of the lobby and the grand staircase, which are survivors of the original postal design.

What to avoid

Do not rush through the ground floor, as the Trajan's Column display is easy to miss if you head straight for the upper-level galleries.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
2-3 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to avoid large student groups and weekend crowds.
Address
National Museum of Romanian History, Calea Victoriei 12, București 030026, Romania
Website
44.432, 26.097
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsPietroasele Treasure and the replica of Trajan's Column

Frequently asked

Plan for about 2-3 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to avoid large student groups and weekend crowds..

The monumental neoclassical staircase and main lobby, which retain the grandeur of the original postal headquarters.

Close by you'll find Cismigiu Gardens, The Romanian Athenaeum, "Ion Luca Caragiale" National Theatre.