Casa Băniei

Casa Baniei is the oldest surviving civil building in Craiova, an architectural monument that today houses a section of the Oltenia Museum devoted to ethnography and folk art. Built in its present form at the end of the 17th century, on the site of the residence of the great bans of Craiova, high officials with wide powers in Oltenia, the building reflects traditional Romanian architecture, with a porch, arcades and massive walls. Its name recalls the institution of the banate, an old administrative office with medieval roots.

Inside, the museum presents folk costumes, textiles, household objects, pottery and testimonies of rural life in Oltenia, offering a rich picture of the traditions and crafts of the area. Set in the historic centre of Craiova, near Saint Demetrius Cathedral, Casa Baniei is easy to visit as part of a tour of the city. The site combines architectural value with the richness of its ethnographic collections and is a recommended stop for those interested in the history and folk culture of Oltenia.