The idea of creating a National Museum dates from the 19th century. In 1834 the National Museum of Natural History and Antiquities emerged as part of the Sabba Academy in Bucharest due to the donation from the Justice of the Peace Mihail Ghica representing his antiquities collection. Three decades later, Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza gave a decree laying down the foundation of the National Antiquities Museum as an independent institution. Over the years the collections of that museum grew constantly. The National History Musuem of Romania, a representative Romanian cultural institution, a repository of the most valuable historical heritage artifacts, opened in 1972 owing to the endeavours of well known university professors, researchers and curators. The museum was established in the Post Palace, one of the most remarkable monuments of architecture in the capital, built in the neoclassical style by the architect Alexandru S?vulescu during the 19th century and restored between 1969 and 1970. The museum collections inlude 690,099 artifacts, including archaeological finds - 79,280 artifacts, history items - 191,114 artifacts, coins - 338.711 artifacts, antique books - 755 items, and 80,239 stamps.

Address: Calea Victoriei, nr.12, sect. 3, Bucharest

E-mail: direct@mnir.ro
Tel.: (+40 21) 315 82 07
Fax: (+40 21) 311 33 56