2-DAY EXCURSION THE MAGIC OF THE CRAIOVA CHRISTMAS FAIR

Day 1

Departure at 07:00 from Bucharest (Constitution Square, in front of the People’s House, large parking lot) on the route Bucharest – Alexandria – Corabia – Craiova. 
We will visit:
– The commemorative monument of the Assembly of Islaz. On June 9, the Revolution of 1848 in Wallachia began with the well-known Islaz Proclamation, drafted by I. Heliade Radulescu and read by Popa Sapca. This document is considered to be the first modern constitution of Romania.
– Sucidava Fortress. Sucidava was an important cultural and economic center of the Getic tribe, the Sucii, from where its name comes. After the Roman conquest, a Roman fort was built in Sucidava. The historical remains to be visited are: the West Gate, the Secret Fountain, the Hypocaust Building, the Paleo-Byzantine Basilica, the walls, as well as the History Museum.
– Craiova Christmas Fair. We enjoy the festive atmosphere, decorations, lights and various goodies (gingerbread, pancakes, homemade chocolate, cozonac, mulled wine).
Accommodation with dinner at Hotel Helin Central 3* or similar in Craiova.

Day 2

Breakfast. 
We will visit:
– The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Great Martyr Demetrius is the oldest religious building in Craiova. 
– We then head to the Madona Dudu Church, known especially as the Cathedral of the Mother of God of Craiova, being one of the largest Orthodox churches in Craiova, numerous Christians crossing its threshold to worship the miracle-working Icon of the Mother of God. –
The Oltenia Museum – History and Archaeology Section where we will discover collections illustrating the history of the Romans from antiquity to the present. We also do not miss the Ethnography section, hosted by the Baniei House, the oldest building in Craiova.
– Brancoveni Monastery . In 1570, the nun Celea, the great-grandmother of Prince Matei Basarab, built a small wooden church on the site of the current chapel, where monks served. The first documentary attestation of the church dates back to 1582-1583, when Mihnea Turcitu confirmed the donations made earlier. Following the healing, with the water of the spring inside the monastery, as a sign of gratitude to God, Matei Basarab, together with his nephew, Preda Brancoveanu – the grandfather of Saint Constantin Brancoveanu, rebuilt the monastery between 1634-1640. In the large cellar of the monastery, located under the Abbot, a model lapidary was set up, where sculptures from the demolished churches in Bucharest were temporarily housed. The monastery museum preserves the columns of the Vacaresti Monastery, icons from the 18th century and the tombstones of Ghica Voda, Barbu Vacarescu and the postelnicului Dumitrescu.