Things to see and do Muntenia

This gigantic mine is well worth a visit. At a depth of over 200 metres, you'll discover fourteen impressively large chambers created by salt mining. The polished rock is criss-crossed with colorful veins. There's also a bar, sports fields (soccer, handball, volleyball, etc.), children's games and a go-kart track. You can also relax and breathe in the mine air, which is good for the respiratory tract. Remember to bundle up before plunging into the bowels of the earth: it's around 12 degrees!

Situated 4 km north of the city center, on the voivode hill, the monastery is known as a princely necropolis, where the remains of a major figure in Romanian history are laid to rest: Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave), the first sole ruler of the three Romanian principalities, for a few months in 1600. A large marble sarcophagus, sculpted by Frédéric Storck in 1913, houses his tomb. Built between 1431 and 1501, the monastery is a landmark of local medieval architecture. Its carved stone church is remarkable.

Founded in the 14th century, this monastery is considered to be one of the oldest in Wallachia. It was built by Radu I, prince from 1377 to 1383. It was then rebuilt by his son Mircea the Elder and renovated by Constantin Brâncoveanu in 1711. The site is quiet and pleasant. The old church is in the centre of the flowery courtyard. Its facade, partly made of brick, is beautifully decorated with small coloured ceramic discs. Wood is omnipresent, especially on the roofs. The monastery is also home to the oldest bell in Wallachia, cast in 1385.

The museum, on the outskirts of the town, is housed in a beautiful house typical of the region, and is well worth a visit in its own right. Nicolae Iorga lived here from 1910 to 1940, when this great historian was assassinated by the fascist Iron Guard. A supporter of Romanian unity, this prolific author, patriot and democrat was also Prime Minister in 1931-1932. The museum exhibits objects, manuscripts and furniture that belonged to this important figure in Romanian history. Note the impressive library in the office.

Close to the royal court, it features archaeological and historical collections. It occupies the former Palais de Justice, a monumental building dating from the early ^20th century. Next door, the art museum dates from the late ^19th century. Formerly the seat of the prefecture, it boasts an elegant, Baroque-influenced interior. On display are fragments of frescoes from the great church of the princely court, dating from the Brâncoveanu period, as well as works by the great masters of Romanian painting, such as Grigorescu and Pallady.

Housed in the neoclassical former prefecture, the museum has several sections: one presents the history of the județ d'Argeș, from the Paleolithic to 1947. The museum also boasts a naive art gallery and a section dedicated to the natural sciences, with dioramas and stuffed specimens, as well as a fine mineral collection and a planetarium. The art gallery, housed in a handsome neoclassical building dating from 1886 (bulevardul Republicii, 33), exhibits paintings by leading local artists such as Grigorescu and Pallady.

To complete your knowledge of salt, you can visit this museum located not far from the mine, in a historic ^18th-century building. It explains the importance of this mineral for the human body and the history of its exploitation in the region. You'll even discover rare species of halophilic plants, which thrive in salty environments. Thanks to virtual reality headsets, you can also climb aboard a vintage wagon to visit a salt mine and learn about extraction methods, from the late ^18th century to the present day.

Located in the center, at kilometer zero, the princely church(biserica domnească), also known as St. George's Church(Sfântul Gheorghe), was founded in 1656 by Constantine Șerban, Prince of Wallachia, and his wife. Remodeled in the ^mid-19th century after a fire, this handsome brick edifice was slated for demolition in the 1960s, but was finally restored in 1968. Its porch, unusual in Romania, makes it an interesting exception.

The Villa Luminiş was built in 1926 by the famous Romanian composer George Enescu. It is now transformed into a memorial house in his honour. This superb Romanian-inspired building, whose name evokes celestial light, housed the violinist until 1946. He liked to spend the summer there, away from the bustle of Bucharest. While listening to Enescu's works, one goes from room to room to admire the refined living environment of the artist, his piano, old photos, beautiful furniture and art objects of various styles.

Close to the princely court, this museum occupies a historic building, built in 1701 by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu as a home for his sons and restored in neoclassical style at the end of the ^19th century. It traces the history of the police in Romania, from its beginnings in the late ^18th century to the present day, through photos, uniforms, edged weapons and firearms. One room features a rich collection of police uniforms from all over the world.

Near Snagov, on the shores of Lake Căldărușani, this monastery was built by Prince Matei Basarab in the ^17th century. It notably housed music and painting schools, where Nicolae Grigorescu, the famous Romanian painter, studied between 1854 and 1855. Inside, the collection of religious objects includes icons from the ^18th century and others painted by Grigorescu. Access is difficult without a car. From Bucharest, take the Ploiești road, turn right at Balotești and then left towards Lipia; from Snagov, follow road 101C past Lipia.

The national capital of black gold, Ploiești is home to a dedicated museum, which traces the rich history of Romanian oil extraction and refining. Located in one of the town's beautiful classical mansions, it boasts a rich heritage: ^19th-century wooden and metal drills, geological maps, mineralogical samples, oil lamps..., as well as patents and works by Lazăr Edeleanu, the inventor of the modern oil refining method.

It's housed in the palace of ^19th-century politician and banker Ghiţă Ionescu, a beautiful listed building. The museum exhibits works by famous Romanian artists of the ^19th and ^20th centuries, including Theodor Pallady, Nicolae Grigorescu, Gheorghe Tattarescu and Corneliu Baba. It also features a fine series of drawings, sketches and engravings, as well as a number of sculptures. On the decorative arts side, you'll find an interesting collection of ^19th-century icons on glass and precious contemporary tapestries.

A little dated, the museum evokes at length the destruction and reconstruction of the city during the 20th century, but also the great events of the 19th century: the revolutionary movement of 1848, the struggles for independence... An impressive collection of stamps, postcards, coins and official decorations is also presented. The museum occupies a large neoclassical-style building, built in the second half of the 19th century.

The Musée de l'Horloge(Muzeul ceasului) displays a unique collection of timepieces from different eras, origins and mechanisms: pocket clocks, table and mantel clocks, sundials, clepsydras, etc., as well as music boxes and automata. One of the oldest, a water clock, dates back to the ^17th century. Some of the clocks belonged to Romanian historical figures. Recently restored, the museum is also worth a visit for its setting: it occupies an elegant Romantic-style mansion, built at the end of the ^19th century and listed as a historic monument.