Send Gift Baskets to Craiova, Romania

Craiova, located in the place of the ancient Roman and Dacian city Pelendava, used to be the Capital of the Oltenia region. Its original princes were the highest-ranking boyars of Wallachia. These initially belonged to the Craiovești family; however, they changed their name several times. The word for coins in Romanian originates from the term for banknotes, Ban, which was a privilege of nobility.

“The Craiovești family’s economic power at the end of the 16th century was about 100 villages (182 financial goods)”. The Magnates at that time had so much power they were able to maintain rulers in power who would pledge their allegiance. The Craiovești family had a lot of hospodars ruling Romania, who include: Neagoe Basarab (1602- 1611), Radu Șerban (1602- 1611), Matei Basarab (1632-1654), Constantin Șerban (1642- 1652).

In 1395 Craiova was probably the scene of a victory won by Prince Mircea I of Wallachia over Bayezid I, the Ottoman Sultan. This historical event is often called the “Battle of Rovine.” Frequently referred to as the “city” by historians coming in the 16th century, Craiova’s role as an important economic hub started somewhere in the second half. The effects of the Habsburg occupation of Oltenia in 1718-1739 are felt in the economic decline and increasing centralism, which led to an increase in hajduk actions of Craiova’s population. In the same context, the Craiova boyars show their discontent through protests. In 1761, under Prince Constantine Mavrocordatos, the bans relocated to Bucharest, and they left behind kaymakams to act as their representatives in Craiova.

Under Prince Emanuel Giani Russet, Wallachia’s old seat was moved to Craiova in 1770–1771. At the time, the prince wanted to establish a safe residence during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774. Rebel Pasha Osman Pazvantoğlu’s troops destroyed a large part of the city.

During the Wallachian uprising of 1821, inhabitants of present-day Dolj County helped Tudor Vladimirescu a lot. Inhabitants of Covurlui County also joined Tudor Vladimirescu’s Pandurs in large numbers. They participated in the expedition on Bucharest and succeeded in taking over the Capital. During the first two decades of the 19th century, Craiova enjoyed economic prosperity, focusing on handicraft trades and public services. During the Russian occupation and at the start of the Organic Statute rule (1828-1834), the city increased its output. In 1832, 595 shops and 197 were rented out to soldiers as barracks. Of 398 houses, 196 were brick, and 202 were still wood. Back in the day, Craiova mainly exported agricultural products like wheat and leather to both the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Ottoman Empire.