Gorj County Museum Alexandru Ștefănescu

Despre acest obiectiv

## A Museum Deeply Rooted in Gorj’s History The Gorj County Museum "Alexandru Ștefănescu" opened its doors in 1894, making it one of the oldest cultural institutions in the region. Reorganized in 1954, the museum is named after the illustrious Gorj historian and archaeologist Alexandru Ștefănescu, whose contributions to researching the local heritage remain foundational. Today, the institution houses valuable collections, divided between two distinct locations, each with its own architectural and thematic identity. ## The Eclectic Building on Geneva Street The museum’s main headquarters, located at 8 Geneva Street, is an architectural monument in the eclectic style, built in 1894 to serve as the Prefecture’s headquarters and later as the courthouse. Restored in 1977, the building impresses with its elegant lines and decorative details characteristic of the late 19th century. Here, the history and archaeology section operates, featuring exhibits spanning millennia: prehistoric tools and ceramics, Dacian and Roman artifacts, medieval pieces, old documents from the 15th to 19th centuries, and a collection of Roman numismatics. The "Alexandru Ștefănescu" documentary fund and religious icons complete the cultural offerings of this space. ## The Art Section and Coordinated Memorial Houses On Traian Street, in the heart of Târgu Jiu’s Central Park, the museum’s art section gathers works significant to the national heritage. Here, visitors can admire old icons, 17th- and 18th-century wood sculptures, and modern Romanian paintings, including works by masters such as Misu Pop, Corneliu Baba, and Vasile Grigore. Sculpture is represented by creations of artist Rodica Popescu. The museum also coordinates five memorial houses and key landmarks: the Constantin Brâncuși Memorial House, the Tudor Vladimirescu Memorial House, the Ecaterina Teodoroiu Memorial House, the Ion Popescu-Voitești Memorial House, and the Polovragi Cave, each offering an insight into the lives and works of Gorj’s notable figures. ## Access and Visitor Recommendations The museum is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with easy access in both the city center and Central Park. For a complete experience, visitors are encouraged to combine a tour of the two museum locations with explorations of the memorial houses and the Polovragi Cave, all situated near Târgu Jiu. The Museum of Popular Architecture in Curtișoara, under the institution’s supervision, adds an authentic ethnographic touch, making it a must-visit for those interested in Gorj’s traditions.