0 0

Of course, it is not the rule for the entire city, but Bucharest has some of the most amazing architecture that you can imagine. For every dark, grey, square block of a building, there is a stunning, historic, handcrafted marvel. Every street seems to have a building that is sure to have a story behind it, and whilst today it might look slightly out of place, at one time these buildings must have been the norm citywide. Many of these buildings survived the communist era and stand tall and proud around the city. Most exist in the Old Town and provide a glimpse into the past of Bucharest. The city offers so much more than just beautiful buildings, it is also full of great food and a crazy nightlife scene. That being said, no visit there would be complete without diving into the past and exploring the historic buildings in Bucharest.

1. Palace of Parliament

Home to the Romanian Parliament, this is the second largest administrative building in the world, after The Pentagon. It took 13 years to complete construction, with building work finally finishing in 1997. Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu ordered the construction but lost power just 4 years after building work began. There are a total of 1,100 rooms spread over 23 sections. Today it houses the Romanian Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, three museums and the International Conference Center. Originally named the House of the Republic, it is said that approximately 70% of the building remains empty to this day.

2. Romanian Athenaeum

The Romanian Athenaeum is the main concert hall in all of Romania. Built in 1888, the building stood until 1992 when it underwent major reconstruction and renovation work to save it from collapsing. There is an auditorium inside the building which seats 600 people. Outside in the gardens is a statue of Romanian Poet Mihal Eminescu. Be sure to buy a ticket to see George Enescu’s Symphony Orchestra perform, that is if you wish to see the concert hall in its full glory.

3. The CEC Palace – The Palace of the Savings Bank

The CEC Palace, built in 1900 is home to the CEC Bank. It was built for this purpose after the destruction of the Saint John the Great Monastery on the same site. The intricate design of the building is something to behold. The palace is topped by a glass and metal dome. The four corners are decorated by coats of arms. The most impressive for me was the clock and the surrounding artwork high above the entrance. The building is a landmark for Bucharest and one of the most beautiful in the entire city.

4. Stavropoleos Monastery

Stavropoleos Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery for nuns right in the heart of Bucharest’s Old Town. The building which dates back nearly 300 years has been heavily affected by earthquakes. Only the church still stands from its original state. You are sure to pass by this on any walk around the Old Town. You are permitted to enter and look around, but please be respectful as the church is still in use.

5. Arcul de Triumf

Most of you know of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, few know of the similar arch located in Northern Bucharest. It was originally made out of wood, which was the result of a rushed job so that victorious troops could march under it after Romania gained independence in 1878. After World War I a concrete structure was built in its place. Although some of the sculptures are similar, its Parisian sister is significantly larger. Bucharest’s arch stands at 27 meters tall, just over half the size of the arch in Paris.

6. Revolution Square

In terms of architecture, there are certainly more impressive buildings in Bucharest, very few though are as significant in history. It was here that the Romanian revolution began against communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu. On December 21st 1989, 100,000 people who had been brought in to cheer their leader, booed him on live television. Shortly after this, the Romanian revolution began before Ceausescu fled by helicopter the next day. The statues around the square are a reminder of the Communist era in Romania, none more so than the statue of Luliu Maniu, Romania’s prime minister from 1928-1933. He was imprisoned when the Communists came to power in 1947 and died behind bars 6 years later.

7. Kretzulescu Church

Kretzulescu Church is an Eastern Orthodox Church located in one of the corners of Revolution Square. Built between 1970-1972, today it is one of the most notable places of worship in Bucharest. It stands out due to the slenderness of its bell tower and its red bricks. The outer walls were originally painted red until restoration work in the mid-1930s led to red bricks replacing the originals. The church was damaged by earthquakes in both 1940 and 1977, both times being restored to its original state. It also narrowly avoided being demolished during the communist regime. You will quickly notice this church on approach as it stands alone in a courtyard clearly visible from Revolution Square. It is yet another must-see building of significance in Bucharest.

8. Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum

Very different from the other seven buildings, the Dimitrie Gusti Museum offers an insight into the architecture throughout Romania’s history. Most buildings in this open-air museum, whether houses or churches are from the 18th and 19th century. It gives great insight into how the people lived during these times and still do in some rural parts of the country. The museum is an interesting way to spend a couple of hours. There are also windmills and some of the tools and machines that were once used in the winemaking process.

These are just some of the major well-preserved buildings you can find throughout the city. A glimpse into the past can be found in random rooftops and doorways, even if the building has been modernised around it. Unfortunately, Bucharest lost its way in more recent history but the city has enough beauty to leave you very impressed. These buildings make it a great city to walk around, taking random turns just to see what you find. Whilst you will find many beautiful, historic buildings in Bucharest, there are also some monstrosities like this one below. I know they tried, but surely this should never have been commissioned!

No trip to Romania could be complete without a visit to Dracula’s Castle in Bran. Read all about my experience here.

Like It? Pin It!

About Post Author

The Roaming Irishman

roamingirishman@gmail.com

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %