The Anton Pann Memorial House can be found in Ramnicu Valcea, on the Stirbei Vod Street and it is still one of the most important and popular touristic attractions and cultural landmarks of the city. The building itself is a wonderful example of traditional architecture, dating from the middle of the 18th century, perfect for hosting the exhibition dedicated to the life, work and times of Anton Pann.
Born in Bulgaria in 1794 Anton Pann came to Romania in 1812, settling at first in Bucharest, then in 1827 he started teaching church music in Ramnicu Valcea. He loater moved to Brasov, where he married, and changed his name from Antonie Pantoleon to Anton Pann, the name that would later make him famous. The writer and teacher returned to Bucharest in 1828 and worked as a music teacher and printer, with his own printing shop, a rather large investment that proved to be successful. At first, Pann printed here his own literary works and musical sheets, but later would have a lot of customers and commisions.
This memorial house was actually moved from it's original foundations, around 35 meters in the distance, when that part of the city was changed and reorganised. Luckily, due to the importance of the writer and the good condition of the building - not to mention it's traditional style and architecture - the original building was wonderfully preserved. The exhibition dedicated to Anton Pann is presented in such as manner as to offer visitors the chance of seing the real atmosphere of a simple house from the middle of the 19th century, with most of it's original furniture, personal objects, decorative arts, together with an impressive collection of books, portraits, documents, letters and so on. In the last room of the memorial house is the real treasure of the collection : a rich selection of music sheets, folklore volumes and studies, manuscripts of Anton Pann and several of his first editions.
An interesting place, a rich and distinct memorial house and museum, worth a visit and even several more. Not to be missed if you come to Valcea.
2008-03-19
