Craiova
The university town of Craiova, founded on the site of the Dacian stronghold Pelendava (which later became the Roman Castra Nova), prides itself on the strong academic tradition and wealth of important historical figures who passed through here on their journey to fame: Wallachian Prince Mihai Viteazu - who served as the ban (military governor) of Craiova and achieved the first unification of the three Romanian principalities in 1600, the world-famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi - who studied at the Craiova Art School (Scola de Arte si Meserii) between 1894 - 1898 and carved his first sculptures here, and Craiova-born Petrache Poenary (1799- 1875) - inventor of the first cartridge fountain pen.