Bugarest

Bugarest

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Bucharest (București)
[pronunciation: Boo koo reshte']

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Location: Southern Romania
Elevation: 190 - 295 ft (55 - 90 m)
Size: City of Bucharest - 88 sq.miles (228 sq.km);
Bucharest Metropolitan area - 587 sq.miles (1,521 sq.km)
Inhabited since: 500 BC
First documented: 1459 AD
Population: 1.921 milion
Known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Époque buildings and a reputation for the high life (which in the 1900s earned its nickname of "Little Paris"), Bucharest, Romania's largest city and capital, is today a bustling metropolis.
Romanian legend has it that the city of Bucharest was founded on the banks of the Dambovita River by a shepherd named Bucur, whose name literarily means "joy." His flute playing reportedly dazzled the people and his hearty wine from nearby vineyards endeared him to the local traders, who gave his name to the place.
Casa Presei Libere
Address: Piata Presei Libere 1
A masive edifice standing in the northern part of Bucharest, since 1956, Casa Scanteii (as it is still universally known) was designed by architect Horia Maicu. The building is a smaller replica of the Lomonosov University in Moskow - Russia.
Between 1956 and 1989, the House of the Free Press housed almost all of Romania's capital printing presses and headquarters of print media companies. Today, Casa Presei Libere carries out much the same function but the southern wing is now the home of the Bucharest Stock Exchange.
Arcul de Triumf
Address: Piata Arcul de Triumf
Initially built of wood, in 1878, to honor the Romanian soldiers who fought in the Independence War, Bucharest's Arch of Triumph was rebuit in 1922 and redecorated in 1936 with base reliefs carved in granite brought from Transylvania.
An interior staircase allows visitors to climb to the top of the 89 feet-high structure, for a panoramic view of the city.
The sculptures that are decorating the structure were created by leading Romanian artists - including Ion Jalea, Constantin Medrea and Constantin Baraschi - and ten Italian sculptors.
Calea Victoriei (Victory Way) is Bucharest's oldest - still in use - and arguably, most charming street.
Designed in 1692 to connect the Old Princely Court to Mogosoaia Palace, the street (initially named Podul Mogoșoaiei) was originally paved with oak beams. In 1878, the name was changed to Calea Victoriei to mark Romania's victory in its Independence War against the Ottoman Empire.
Between the two world wars, Calea Victoriei developed into one of the most fashionable, vivid, streets in the city.
Stroll along Calea Victoriei starting at Piata Victoriei and go on till its end at Piata Natiunilor Unite.
Stunning buildings line Calea Victoriei, including the Cantacuzino Palace, the former Headquarters of the Romanian Communist Party, the Military Club, the Palace of the Savings bank and the National History Museum.
Palatul Cantacuzino
Address: Calea Victoriei 141
Grigore Cantacuzino (nicknamed Nababul - the Nabab), a member of Cantacuzino princely family, was considered to be one of the wealthiest Romanians, in late 1800s. A former mayor of Bucharest, minister and Prime Minister,
Cantacuzino desired to have the most elegant residence in all Bucharest.
His Beaux Arts palace, designed by architect Ion Berindey and featuring superb wrought iron balconies,
tall arched windows and a porte-cochere flanked by two lions, was inaugurated in 1902.
Today, the palace houses the George Enescu Museum , dedicated to one of Romania's greatest musicians.
Piata Revolutiei
The square gained worldwide notoriety when TV stations around the globe broadcasted Nicolae Ceausescu's final moments in power on December 21, 1989. It was here, at the balcony of the former Communist Party Headquarters, that Ceausescu stared in disbelief as the people gathered in the square below turned on him. He fled the angry crowd in his white helicopter, only to be captured outside of the city a few hours later.
The square's importance stretches back long before the dramatic events of the 1989 Revolution. On the far side of the square stands the former Royal Palace, now home to the National Art Museum, the stunning Romanian Athenaeum and the historic Athenee Palace Hotel. At the south end of the square, you can visit the small, but beautiful, Kretzulescu Church.
Palatul Regal
Address: Calea Victoriei 49 - 53
Completed in 1937, in neoclassical style, Bucharest Royal Palace was home to King Carol II and to his son, King Mihai I, until 1947, when the monarchy was abolished in Romania. It was inside this palace that King Mihai, then aged 18,
led a coup that displaced the pro-Nazi government during the World War II and put Romania on the Allies' side.
Today, the former Royal palace houses Romania's National Art Museum .
Atheneul Roman
Address: Strada Benjamin Franklin 1
Tel: (+4) 021 315.00.26
Website
The work of French architect Albert Galleron, who also designed the National Bank of Romania, the Athenaeum was completed in 1888, financed almost entirely with money donated by the general public. One of the preeminent public fundraising campaigns ever in Romania, the "Give a penny for the Athenaeum" campaign saved the project after the original patrons ran out of funds. With its high dome and Doric columns, the Athenaeum resembles an ancient temple.
The lobby has a beautifully painted ceiling decorated in gold leaf, while curved balconies cascade in ringlets off a spiral staircase. A ring of pink marble columns is linked by flowing arches where elaborate brass lanterns hang like gems from a necklace. Inside the concert hall, voluptuous frescoes cover the ceiling and walls. Renowned worldwide for its outstanding acoustics, it is Bucharest's most prestigious concert hall and home of the Romanian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Biserica Cretulescu
Address: Calea Victoriei 47
Nestled amid the other historical buildings in Piata Revolutiei, this small red-brick Orthodox church was built in 1722 by the great chancellor Iordache Kretzulescu and his wife, Safta (a daughter of Constantin Brancoveanu) in the Brancovenesti architectural style. The interior frescoes were executed around 1860 by the famous Romanian painter Gheorghe Tattarescu.
Sala Mare a Palatului
Address: Strada Ion Câmpineanu 28
Located next to the Royal Palace, the concave-roof structure was built in 1960 to accommodate the 3,000 Communist party members who every five years attended the communist party congress. It was on this stage that Nicolae Ceausescu would deliver his vision of a multilaterally developed socialist society. Today, the massive auditorium plays host to various conferences and events, including some of the George Enescu International Festival concerts.
Cercul Militar National (Casa Armatei)
Address: Strada Constantin Mile 1
Tel: (+4) 021 313.86.80
Standing guard imposingly, this neoclassical masterpiece, designed by Romanian architect Dimitrie Maimaroiu, was built in 1912 to serve the social, cultural and educational needs of the Romanian army. Banquets and official events are still hosted in the ballrooms, while the upstairs area is reserved for the army's library, as well as offices and classrooms for officer instruction. The main part of the building is off-limits to civilians, but the sumptuous restaurant and summer terrace is open to the public.
Palatul CEC / Palatul Casei de Economii si Consemnatiuni
Address: Calea Victoriei 13
Boasting one of the most impressive neoclassical facades in the city, this structure was built in the 19th century to the design of French architect Paul Gottereanu (who between 1875 and 1900 designed more than 50 buildings in the city, to house the first Romanian Savings Bank. The square-shaped palace has a large central dome with metallic ribs separated by glass, which allows natural light to come in; there are also four smaller domes. The arch at the entrance, with its Corinthian columns, is a highlight of any architectural tour of the city.
Centrul Vechi / strada Lipscani
At the beginning of 1400s, most merchants and craftsmen - Romanian, Austrian, Greek, Armenian and Jewish - established their stores and shops in this section of the city; a jumble of streets between Calea Victoriei, Blvd. Bratianu, Blvd. Regina Elisabeta and the Dambovita River.
Soon, the area became known as Lipscani, named for the many German traders from Lipsca or Leiptzig.
Other streets took on the names of various old craft communities and guilds, such as Blanari (furriers), Covaci (blacksmiths), Gabroveni (knife makers) and Cavafii Vechii (shoe-makers). The mix of nationalities and cultures is reflected in the mishmash of architectural styles, from baroque to neoclassical to art nouveau.
Today, the area is home to art galleries, antique shops, coffeehouses, restaurants and night-clubs.
While walking in the narrow cobblestone streets one can imagine the long-gone shopkeepers outside near their stores, inviting bypassers to buy their merchandise.
Old Town Bucharest map
Palatul si Biserica Curtea Veche
Address: Strada Franceza 25 - 31
Tel: (+4) 021 314.03.75 Museum open: Mon. – Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Admission charge
Website
The remains of the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche) - commisioned in the 15th century by prince Vlad Tepes (or Vlad Draculea) - are located at southern edge of Bucharest Old Town. Historians believe that, Vlad the Impaler kept his prisoners in dungeons which beneath his Princely Court.
The Old Court Museum was established in 1972 when an archaeological dig revealed the remains of the fortress, walls, arches, tombstones and a Corinthian column along with Dacian pottery and Roman coins and other evidence of Bucharest's earliest inhabitants. The oldest document attesting to the city's origin under the name of Bucuresti (Bucharest) was discovered here also; it was issued on September 20, 1459 and signed by Prince Vlad Tepes.
Next to the palace stands the Old Court Church (Biserica Curtea Veche) , dating from 1559 and considered the oldest in Bucharest. Some of the original 16th century frescoes have been preserved. For two centuries, the church served as coronation venue for Romanian princes.
Hanul lui Manuc
Address: Strada Franceza 62 - 64
Tel: (+4) 021 313.14.11

Built in 1804 by the wealthy Armenian trader Emanuel Marzaian (called by the Turks "Manuc Bey"),
the inn has the preliminary talks concerning the Peace Treaty that put an end to the Russian -Turkish War (1806-1812).
A favorite meeting place for tradesmen, Manuc's Inn has preserved to this day its character and flavor.
A restaurant, wine cellar and a pastry shop are now welcoming guests from all over the world.
Carul cu Bere
Address: Strada Stavropoleos 3 - 5
Tel: (+4) 021 313.75.60
The Beer Wagon restaurant and beer house became, soon after the opening in 1879, one of the most popular meeting places for Bucharest's literati who would gather to discuss matters of their time. Its neo-gothic architectural style is reflected both in the façades and the interior decorations: columns, arches, chandeliers, a wooden staircase, furniture and murals on the walls and ceiling.
Website
Banca Nationala a Romaniei
Address: Strada Lipscani 25
The National Bank of Romania (BNR) stands on the site of the, well-known at its time, Serban Voda Inn ( Hanul Serban Voda (, open in 1678. Two fires gutted the building and in 1883 the land was leveled and work to build a home for Romania's National Bank begun. The new structure, designed by French architects Cassien Bernard and Albert Galleron, was completed in 1885. Built in neoclassical French style, the building boasts a facade with Corinthian columns and an enormous central hall and is still a classic worthy of admiration.
The small, elegant - Museum of the National Bank of Romania - is open to visitors (appointment mandatory).
Piata Universitatii
Buzzing with crowds and traffic from early morning until late at night, this area is one of the most popular meeting places in Bucharest. The square features remarkable architecture: Bucharest School of Architecture, the National Theatre, the neoclassical Coltea Hospital and its lovely church (1702 - 1794) and Sutu Palace, now home to the Bucharest History & Art Museum .
In the middle of the circle, on a little 'island', 10 stone crosses pay respect to those killed during the 1989 revolution. Below the circle there is an underground passage, with small shops, that offer pedestrians access to the one side of the circle and to University Circle ( Piata Universitatii ) subway station.
Universitatea Bucuresti
Address: Blvd. Regina Elizabeta / University Circle
Bucharest is Romania's largest and foremost centre of higher education. The University of Bucharest was founded in 1864 by prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, ruler of the newly united principalities of Walachia and Moldova. The home of the university is a neoclassical building (completed in 1859) located in the heart of Romania's capital city.
In the small square next to the University building book merchants are offering anything from antique books to vinyl records, discontinued newspapers and illustrated broadsheets from another age.
Spitalul Coltea
Address: Blvd. I.C. Bratianu 1
The oldest hospital in Bucharest, dating from 1704, Coltea was built on land belonging to the Vacaresti family, who at the time owned many of the great prosperities of the capital. The original building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1802, and the neoclassical building standing today dates from 1888.
The church next to the hospital is the original 1701 construction, and is currently undergoing much-needed renovation.
The hospital remains a functioning public health centre; you may enter only if you have official business.
The church, however, is open to all, and the saintly silhouettes on the ceiling are admirable.
Palatul Sutu
Address: Blvd. I. C. Bratianu 2
Famous for the grandiose balls held here in the 1900s, Sutu Palace was built in neogothic style between 1832 and 1834 by foreign minister Costache Sutu, to designs of architects Johann Veit and Konrad Schwinck. In 1862, the palace was redecorated by sculptor Karl Storck, who created three arcades and a monumental stairway; a huge Murano mirror was added in the hallway. Only the painted ceilings, the stucco, the parquet flooring and the tile stoves have been preserved.
In 1959, Sutu Palace became home to Bucharest History & Art Museum

Address: Strada Izvor 2 - 4
Tel: (+4) 021 311.36.11
Open to visitors: Mon. - Sun.
Bucharest Palace of Parliament Hours and Admission
(guided tours in English available)
Built at the special request of Nicolae Ceausescu, leader of Romania's Communist Party, the colossal Parliament Palace
- formerly known as "People's House" ( Casa Poporului ) -
is the world's second largest administrative building,
just after the U. S. Pentagon.
It took 20,000 workers and 700 architects to build this masive structure that boasts 12 stories above ground, 1,100 rooms,
a 350-ft.-long lobby and eight underground levels, including an enormous nuclear bunker.
The Palace of Parliament it is the world's second-largest office building (floor area) and the third largest in volume (after Cape Canaveral Space Centre in the U.S. and the Great Pyramid in Egypt)
The crystal chandelier in the Human Rights Hall (Sala Drepturilor Omului) weighs 2.5 tons.
Some of the chandeliers have as many as 7,000 light bulbs.
When construction started on June 25, 1984, the building was intended it to be the headquarters of the country's Communist government. Today, it houses Romania's Parliament, Bucharest International Conference Centre and the Museum of Modern Art.
Built, furnished and decorated exclusively with materials sourced and made in Romania, the building reflects the work of the country's best artisans. A guided tour takes visitors through a small section of dazzling rooms, huge halls and quarters used by the Senate (when not in session). The interior is a luxurious display of crystal chandeliers, mosaics, oak paneling, marble, gold leaf, stained-glass windows and floors covered in rich carpets.
Valid passport or national Identity Card is required to gain access to the Palace of Parliament.
Groups (10 or more visitors): reservations are mandatory.
Please E-mail a tour reservation request containing the following information:
- number of participants,
- exact date & approximate time of arrival,
- coach license plate,
- guide (English or French language)
- type of tour desired (standard, standard + terrace or standard + terrace + the underground).
Group tours need to be reconfirmed, on the day prior to the visit — please call (+4) 021 311.36.11
Romania’s Parliament Palace, Bucharest
Facts and Figures:
Location
1 mile southwest of Bucharest Old Town ( Centrul Vechi ),
on the very place (called Dealul Arsenalului – Armory Hill) on which, in 1935,
king Carol II of Romania had planned to build Romania’s House of Representatives ( Camera Deputatilor ).
Public transportation
Nearest bus station: Pod Izvor (Bus # 104, 123, 124, 136, 385), 7 minutes walk
Nearest subway station: Izvor (M1), 5 minutes walk
Size:
Height: 282 ft. (89 metres)
Width: 788 ft. (240 metres)
Length: 886 ft. (270 metres)
Number of stories: 12 above ground and 8 underground
Built-up area: 3.8 million sq. ft. (359,000 sq.m.)
Foot print: 7,1 million sq. ft. (66.000 sq.m.)
Volume: 90 million cu. ft. (2.55 million cu. metres)
The Palace of the Romanian Parliament is the world's Heaviest Building!
Quantities of construction materials used to build
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