Ploiesti has been attested in documents for over 400 years. Looking through the eyes of Caragiale, let`s see the tourist attractions that might interest and amuse a curious passer-by.

Many might think – and we are not saying they are wrong to assume this – that Ploiesti is just another industrial city, an old center of the Romanian oil extraction. But even though it is not rich in natural tourist attractions, Ploiesti does possess a bunch of museums, memorial houses and a few building well worth visiting during your stay.

Tourist attractions in Ploiesti

The Palace of Culture Ploiesti (Palatul Culturii Ploiesti)

This building would tower over the center of the town were it not for the City Hall building – more modern and taller.

The Palace is built in a French neoclassic style. It is a monumental building of the beginning of the 20th century. It was constructed following the plans of French architect E. Doneaud and Romanian Toma T. Socolescu.

The facade has been restored recently, and the interior is often the host of various exhibitions.

The National Petroleum Museum

The oil industry is the quintessence of the modern existence of Ploiesti, so important in fact, that you may find here the only museum dedicated to the history and evolution of the petrol industry locally and worldwide.

Documents concerning the history of petrol, as well as drilling machines made of wood and metal dating back to the 19th century, models of distilleries and refineries can be admired here (such as the first Romanian distillerie, founded in 1859).

It is certainly an interesting place to visit for those passionate about this domain.

The Memorial House I.L. Caragiale

Ploiesti simply had to have a museum dedicated to the greatest Romanian playwright. Here, you can see a collection of documents that review the main points of the life and work of the writer.

In front of the City Hall, you can also see a bronze statue of Caragiale and a few of his most known characters, which was recently inaugurated.

There are also many other places you can visit and enjoy in Ploiesti. Due to the size of the city, it might be advisable to rent a car to be able to travel wherever inside the town and its surroundings.