The National Bank of Romania Museum occupies the central bank’s Old Palace at Strada Lipscani 25, in Bucharest’s historic Old Town. It traces Romanian money from ancient Greek colonial coinage to modern banknotes, inside one of the city’s grandest 19th-century interiors. Founded in 1880, the National Bank was the 16th central bank established worldwide. Construction of its headquarters took six years instead of the planned three (source: [Ciceru](https://ciceru.com/blog/places/romania/bucharest/national-bank-of-romania-museum-77617768)).
French architects Cassien Bernard and Albert Galleron designed the neoclassical palace. Inside, visitors pass through marble halls, ornate ceilings and the former treasury vault. The collection covers the evolution of currency from antiquity to the present (source: [Trip.com](https://www.trip.com/moments/poi-national-bank-of-romania-museum-58326423/)). Highlights include silver drachmas from Histria, Dacian and Roman coins, and early Romanian lei. Engraving plates and banknote designs show how the bank printed its money, and gold bars sit inside the vault. Coin collectors linger over the display cases, while architecture enthusiasts come for the staircase and the banking hall.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The museum operates as part of a working institution, so visits generally run on weekdays and require advance booking with the bank. Bring photo ID for security checks, and confirm current hours and tour languages before you go. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. The Old Town’s nightlife crowds arrive later in the day. Combine the museum with nearby Stavropoleos Monastery, CEC Palace and the Old Princely Court. Piața Unirii metro station (M1/M2) is about a 10-minute walk away.
