Ploiești

The Capital of Black Gold

Ploiești is a culturally rich city, housing some museums that are unique in the country, monuments, impressive architectural elements and historic buildings.

History &

Geography

The first documentary mentions of the locality were made in 1503. Between 1700-1800, Ploiești became the economic epicentre of the region. The fair that was organised here was an occasion for the Romanians from all over the country to meet, so that the settlement developed and expanded through the prism of the business, many of the traders choosing to stay here.

After 1887, the craft devalued and the industry began to grow, as various oil processing and tannery companies opened.

During the First World War the city suffered greatly, but after this unfortunate event, the industry flourished seeing Ploiești’s revival.

The Second World War was another difficult ordeal for the city which affected by the bombings aimed mainly at the refineries. During the communist period, industrialisation reached its peak.

After the fall of the regime in 1989, the process of culturalisation of the city begins.

 

Located in the south of the country, Ploiești is the residence of Prahova County and is part of the Muntenia region. The city is located in the central-northern area of the Wallachian Plain, between the rivers Prahova and Teleajen. It borders the regions: Brașov – to the north, Buzău, – to the east, Ilfov – to the south and Dâmbovița – to the west.

Did you know...?

  • The Clock Museum is the only one of its type in the whole country?

 

  • The city of Ploiești is nicknamed the “capital of black gold”? This is due to its status of an old oil industrial centre.

 

  • The Hot Jazz Summit the first jazz festival in Romania? The first edition took place in 1969, after which it was banned under the communist regime, and was resumed in 2005.

 

  • Paul Constantinescu composed the “Ploiești Symphony”, Ploiești being the only city in the country that has its own symphony?

 

  • The first oil refinery in the world was inaugurated in1857 in Ploiești?
Let's travel and discover

Tourist attractions in PLOIEȘTI

The Clock Museum

The Clock Museum – is a unique concept, a space that houses an impressive collection of clocks of some of the greatest Romanian personalities. The charm of the place is given by the fact that its exhibits are from various historical periods. The museum is located on 1 Nicolae Simache Street.

Visiting hours:

Tuesday – Sunday: 09.00 – 17.00

Ticket price:

Adults – 12 lei

Pensioners – 6 lei

Children, pupils, students – 4 lei

Guide price:

25 lei / hour (individual visitors)

Free – group of 10 visitors

Ploiesti_Muzeul Ceasului

"Casa Târgoveț" Museum

“Casa Târgoveț” Museum – a section of the Prahova County Museum of History and Archeology. The building that houses the museum is the oldest house in town with an indisputable architectural value. The exhibits, the decor, the furniture are meant to transport you in time, between the XVIII-XIX centuries.

Visiting hours:

Tuesday – Sunday: 09.00 – 17.00

Ticket price:

Adults – 8 lei

Pensioners – 4 lei

Children, pupils, students – 2 lei

Guide price:

5 lei / hour (individual visitors)

Free – group of 10 people

Ploiesti_Muzeul „Casa Târgoveț”

Oil Museum

It was inaugurated in October 1961 and holds over 8000 exhibits illustrating drilling equipment, geological maps, oil lamps, a model of a gas factory, scientific works, and other interesting items of this kind. Additionally, the Petroleum Museum’s heritage includes a very rich collection comprising invention patents, scientific works describing the history of wax, oil, and gasoline manufacturing; albums, letters, and documentary photographs of Lazăr Edeleanu (considered the founder of Romanian and universal petrochemistry).

Visiting hours:

Tuesday-Sunday: 09.00 – 17.00

Ticket price:

Individual – 12 lei

Group (minimum 10 people) – 8 lei

Disadvantaged individuals, people with disabilities, children up to 3 years old, children from placement centers, museum network personnel, and those who possess ICOM cards – free

Ploiesti_Muzeul Petrolului

Palace of Culture

Originally built as the Palace of Justice, it is a monumental building in the French neoclassical style. Construction began in 1906 and was completed in 1933, being inaugurated by King Carol II. The building was affected by the 1977 earthquake and partially renovated, currently hosting several cultural institutions: the Nicolae Iorga County Library, the Prahova County Museum of Natural Sciences, and the Prahova County Cultural Center.

Ploiesti_Palatul Culturii
Internal and external links

Transport to/from Ploiesti

The nearest airport to Ploiești is “Henri Coandă” in Bucharest, located about 60 km away.

 

Trains leave Ploiești station every day to most localities and cities in the country.

 

If you prefer a faster option, you can choose to travel by bus / minibus. Here you will find all the necessary information for this: bus stations and stops, departure and arrival times, destinations.

 

Ploiești is connected to Bucharest by the A3 motorway.

Travel independently through Romania

Rent a car

Looking for a car to get around Romania?

We help you compare offers from over 200 rental sites so you can find the best option, with cars starting at less than €20 per week!

 

Book quickly and easily, and enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace.

Rent a car Romania

Festivals and other attractions in Ploiești

If you like music festivals, in Constanta you will find one to your taste, regardless of the style of music you prefer. Here you have a list with some of them, but you should know that every weekend there are events for all tastes.

  • Hot Jazz Summit – takes place between23-27  November at the Paul Constantinescu Philharmonic and brings together the most famous international and local jazz artists.

 

What are you waiting for? Come and have a good time, enjoy music, nice people and magical places.

Do you need help organizing your trip?

If you are thinking of traveling to Romania and you don't want to miss the most important places, count on our help. We take care of the logistics while you just have to relax and enjoy this wonderful experience.