The Museum operates inside the Cotroceni palace, a monument of late 19th century romanian architecture, which has also fused remarkably well with the medieval architecture of the Serban Cantacuzino - founded monastery of the late 17th century. Its uniqueness is granted by the intertwinement of a memory site, of a history spanning 350 years, with that of an art museum. Its halls and appartments have tremendous memorial power, as the focus is shifted not to the inherent value of the various artefacts, but to their connection with the personalities that have lived in the palace through the many years.
For 30 years, the Cotroceni National Museum has aimed to follow the new trends in contemporary museology. Nowadays it sets the standard in the romanian cultural and social environment as a modern institution through its organisation and through its various cultural endeavors. Various scientifical and exhibitional programmes were carried out , touching on subjects such as History, Arts History (from medieval to contemporary) and conservation work.
„Historical Restitution“ is one of the projects underway at this institution. Under various names, it has kept its main goal, which is to draw wrongly forgotten personalities or lost historical monuments to the attention of the community. Artists’ works are reinterpreted, forgotten politicians are back into the limelight, and thus events or persons that shaped romanian history and culture are „restituted“ back into the collective consciousness. All throughout the years, the Cotroceni National Museum mainly sought to make the most of its own cultural heritage and the immovable heritage obtained from partnering museums and institutions.
The Cotroceni National Museum aims to continue being a place for artistic debate and dialogue and, on the other hand, to support all undertakings of conservation and restoration work, as a way to promote the national cultural heritage, keeping close contact with academic and civil circles.
