ARHIVELE OLTENIEI - Universitatea din Craiova

Communal museums and museum collections of the Dolj distict 127The date is marked on most of the stone crosses from Jitianu: they dateback to the second half of the XIX th century, while the icons included in thecollection invite you to meditation.The rich diocesan collection, artfully and tastefully displayed in therooms of the old building, which complete the Jitianu complex with theirarchitecture and volumes, is among the most important establishments ofRomanian ancient art, comprising items of exceptional value that can beincluded in the treasure of the national cultural heritage.Some of the objects that can be found here remind us of ancientsettlements that had a glorious past, for example those coming from the Roabahermitage (Dolj county) 13 , formerly founded by the Craioveşti family, or thecarved wood doors coming from the court church of Bengeşti, founded by StaicoBengescu on his estate, at the beginning of the XVIII th century 14 . Most of theobjects, like the icons, for instance, come from wooden churches – for examplethose from Stroeşti-Daviţoiu, Licuriciu, Cernădia, Crasna din Vale, Roşia de Jiu(Gorj district), Cilieni (Olt district), Brezinţa (Mehedinţi district) and so on, orsome of the brick churches of historic importance, such as the parish churchfounded by the Magheru family in Bârzeiu de Gilort (Gorj district), at the end ofthe XIX th century, or the church founded by the Coşoveanu family in Coşoveni(Dolj district).The collection of the Jitianu monastery could still be visited before2002. It was included on the tourist route of foreign delegations visiting thecountry of Craiova. Because no conservation or restoration actins have beentaken since the 1980s, some of the objects have slowly deteriorated. Fromdifferent discussions we have had with representatives of the ArchiepiscopalChurch of Craiova we have understood that a reopening of the museum iswished for, but only after the restoration of the objects and when optimalconditions for their conservation and display have been ensured.The “H.H.Catargi” museum collection in the commune of Scaeşti.Another important collection in the Dolj district is the donation made byH.H.Catargi (actually by his wife) to the commune of Scaeşti. Before the museumcollection of Scaeşti was set up (in 1983/1984), the Art Museum of Craiovaorganised an exhibition – in the Brâncuşi room – of the artist’s paintings andgraphic art, with the title H.H.Catargy donation to the commune of Scaeşti. Onthis occasion the artist’s last work– an unfinished carbon sketch - was presented.Important because of the exceptional value of the painting and graphicart works, the “H.H.Catargi” collection was housed until 2006 in two rooms ofthe artist’s manor house, together with the village town hall of the communeScaeşti. In September 2006, when the building was given back to its former13 I. Donat, Despre schitul Zdrelea sau Roaba – Dolj, ctitoria necunoscută aCraioveştilor, Craiova, 1935 şi „Arhivele Olteniei”, 1935, p.344-359.14 N. Ghike-Budeşti, Evoluiţia arhitecturii în Muntenia şi Oltenia, in „BuletinulComisiunii Monumentelor Istorice”, 1936, p. L.DCXXXIV, apud Teodora Voinescu, op.cit., p.21.