Museum

Romanian Academy in Bucharest

Romanian Academy in Bucharest is a museum.

About Romanian Academy in Bucharest

Overview & Identity

The Romanian Academy (Academia Română) is the supreme scientific and cultural institution in Romania, serving as a cultural forum that covers scientific, artistic, and literary domains. Founded on April 1, 1866, as the Romanian Literary Society, it was renamed the Romanian Academic Society in 1867 and officially became the Romanian Academy in 1879 under King Carol I. The institution is organized following the model of the French Academy and currently comprises 181 active members elected for life, alongside honorary and foreign members. Its primary goals include the cultivation of the Romanian language and literature, the study of national history, and research into major scientific domains.

History & Founding

The Academy was established on the initiative of C. A. Rosetti with the purpose of unifying the Romanian language orthographically, grammatically, and lexically, a key project in the modernization program following the 1859 Union of the two Romanian Principalities. The founding members included 21 illustrious figures from all Romanian provinces, such as Vasile Alecsandri, Ion Heliade Rădulescu (the first President), and Titu Maiorescu. Over its history, the institution has been led by prominent cultural figures including Ion Ghica, Mihail Kogălniceanu, and Nicolae Iorga, evolving from a literary society into the nation's highest scientific authority.

Building & Architecture

The Academy's historic headquarters is located at 125 Calea Victoriei in Bucharest and is part of the 'Romanian Academy Ensemble,' a class B historical monument. The central building, originally constructed at the end of the 18th century in the Neoclassical style, was acquired by the Academy in 1890 through the purchase of the Bellu and Cesianu houses. Under the coordination of architect F.D. Xenopol, the first reconstruction works were completed in 1890 to create the first Aula (Assembly Hall). The Aula underwent radical reconfiguration in 1948 under architect Richard Bordenache and was inaugurated in its current form on May 20, 1949.

Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings

The Academy houses the most valuable library in the country, which began with 73 books and now holds over 4 million items. Its special collections include the Cabinet of Manuscripts and Rare Books, preserving medieval manuscripts and rare printed works; the Cabinet of Prints, featuring engravings and drawings by artists like Grigorescu, Luchian, and Tonitza; the Music Cabinet with extensive scores; and the Map Cabinet with historical cartographic documents. Notable unique holdings include signatures of prominent historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, and Talleyrand.

Significance & Legacy

As Romania's highest institution of culture and science, the Academy has been instrumental in standardizing the Romanian language and producing fundamental projects such as the Romanian language dictionary (Dicționarul explicativ al limbii române) and the treatise on the history of the Romanian people. It serves as a critical research hub and a symbol of national intellectual heritage, hosting the voices of Romania's most distinguished personalities in its Academy Hall. The institution's building and collections are recognized as a national historical monument, reflecting its enduring role in preserving and advancing Romanian culture.

What to see at Romanian Academy in Bucharest

Start with Madona cu Pruncul by Luini Bernardino.

What's on

  • Metodă, teorie şi practică în arheologia contemporană – Academia Română 160 de ani Amfiteatrul „Ion Heliade Rădulescu”From 27 Mar 2026
  • Expoziția „160 de ani de la înfiinţarea Societăţii Academice Române” Sala „Theodor Pallady”From 6 Apr 2026
  • Citește mai mult »From 28 Apr 2026
  • Expoziția „Foi volante care au făcut istorie” Sala „Theodor Pallady”From 29 Apr 2026
  • Sala “Theodor Pallady” Biblioteca Academiei RomâneFrom 15 Jul 2025
  • Unitate Națională și Demnitate Eclesială – Ridicarea Bisericii Ortodoxe Române la Rang de PatriarhieFrom 17 Sep 2025
  • Descoperă lumea cărţilor la Biblioteca Academiei Române Sala de lectură „Ioan Bianu”From 26 Sep 2025
  • Mihai Viteazul și moștenirea sa culturală: între documentele istorice și provocările actualeFrom 30 Sep 2025
  • Salvați Băile Herculane Amfiteatrul „Ion Heliade Rădulescu”From 1 Oct 2025
  • Regina Maria – 150 de ani de la naștere Sala „Theodor Pallady”From 8 Oct 2025
  • Aula Academiei RomâneFrom 9 Oct 2025
  • Lansare de carte „Arhitectura de interior în România. O istorie din prima jumătate a secolului XX”From 27 Nov 2025
  • MAESTRU & Ucenic – 7 decenii de învățământ vocațional Sala „Theodor Pallady”From 9 Dec 2025
  • Expoziția ”Spiru Haret şi învăţământul românesc”. Amfiteatrul „Ion Heliade Rădulescu”From 24 Feb 2026
  • Protecția seismică după 50 de ani în România Amfiteatrul „Ion Heliade Rădulescu”From 4 Mar 2026
Artworks shown from Romanian Academy in Bucharest are in the public domain; images via the open-access programs of their source collections. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.