Bucharest on the Dambovita River

Bucharest, the lovely capital of Romania is well-known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards. In the 1900s, this city got the nickname “Little Paris”. Today it is Romania’s largest city. There is a delightful legend about Bucharest.

It says that once, this city was founded on the banks of the Dambovita River by a shepherd whose name was Bucur. Bucur means “joy”. Everyone delighted in Bucur’s flute playing, and local traders liked his hearty wine, which came from nearby vineyards, so they named the place after this shepherd. In other words, Bucharest translates as “The City of Joy”.

Bucharest also has its Arch of Triumph. This arch was originally built of wood in 1922 to honor the Romanian soldiers who fought in WW I. Later on, the arch was redone in Deva granite in 1936. The Arch of Triumph stands 85 feet high and was designed by architect Petre Antonescu. Visitors can climb up an interior staircase to the top, where they can see panoramic views of Bucharest. The sculptures that decorate the arch are the artworks of leading Romanian artists, among them Ion Jalea, Constantin Medrea, and Constantin Baraschi. This is the central point for military parades. Romanian soldiers march beneath the arch for significant events like each December 1st, which is Romania National Day or the Great Union Day.

Take a stroll on the city’s oldest and most charming street Calea Victoriel or Victory Avenue. This street was built in 1692 to connect the Old Princely Court to Mogosoaia Palace and was at first paved with oak beams. It is now a most fashionable street, and walking along it, you can see impressive buildings like the Cantacuzino Palace, the Military Club, the CEC Headquarters, and the National History Museum. It will also take you to the historical Revolution Square.

Revolution Square got notoriety and worldwide attention when TV stations all around the world broadcast Nicolae Ceausescu’s final moments in power on December 21, 1989. On the far side of the square is the former Royal Palace which today houses the National Art Museum, the amazing Romanian Athenaeum, the Senate Palace, and the historic Athenee Palace Hilton Hotel. On the south side of the square, visitors can visit the lovely Kretzulescu Church.

The square is known for the dramatic Monument of Rebirth erected in 2005. It includes the names of 1,058 victims of the bloody revolution and a bronze statue of Iuliu Maniu, the Romanian prime minister imprisoned by the communist party.

The Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest’s most prestigious concert hall was designed by French architect Albert Galleron and was finished in 1888. This building reminds visitors of an ancient temple since it has a high dome and Doric columns. In the lobby is a lovely painted ceiling that has been decorated in gold leaf. From an impressive spiral staircase, curved balconies cascade in ringlets. Elaborate brass lanterns hang from flowing arches that link a ring of pink marble columns. Inside the concert hall, the ceiling and walls are covered by voluptuous frescoes. This is the home of the Romanian George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra.

Take the time to enjoy the old historical center of Bucharest. The Lipscani District will lead you through a myriad of streets between Calea Victoriei Boulevard, Bratianu Boulevard, Regina Elisabeta, and the Dambovita River. This was the area where merchants and craftsmen established their shops at the beginning of the 1400s. They were of different nationalities, and the area became known as Lipscani because of the many German traders who came from Leipzig, Germany. Other streets also gained their names from the different old craft communities and guilds – Blanari (furriers), Covaci (blacksmiths), Gabroveni (knife makers), and Cavafii Vechii (shoe makers). You’ll find a wide variety of architectural styles in this area, from Baroque to neo-Classical to Art Nouveau. This is where you’ll find lots of art galleries, antique shops, and coffeehouses.

You’ll enjoy strolling along the cobblestone streets and stopping by the art and antique shops found in a rectangular courtyard – Hanul cu Tei.

Right in the center of the historic area, you’ll find the remains of the Old Princely Court, which was built in the 15th century by Vlad Tepes or Vlad Dracula. Local legend has it that Vlad kept his prisoners locked up in dungeons found underneath the Princely Court and which extended under the city. Today you can see a few walls, arches, tombstones, and a Corinthian column. In 1972 the Old Court Museum was established after an archaeological dig discovered the remains of the fortress as well as Dacian pottery and Roman coins. Also discovered here was the oldest document, which referred to the city’s origin under the name Bucuresti (Bucharest) issued on September 20, 1459, and signed by Prince Vlad Tepes.

Beside the palace is the Old Court Church dating back to 1559 and is looked upon as being the oldest in Bucharest. It used to serve as a coronation place for Romanian princes. You can still see the original 16th-century frescoes.

Visitors can find the most remarkable architectural masterpieces in each of the four corners of University Square – the University of Bucharest’s School of Architecture, the Bucharest National Theater, the neo-Classical Coltea Hospital with its lovely church, and the Sutu Palace, which houses the Bucharest History Museum.

This is one of the most popular meeting places in the city. In the middle of the square is a little island upon which are ten stone crosses representing those who were killed during the 1989 revolution. Underneath the square is an underground passage with shops and eateries, letting pedestrians cross from one side of the square to the other and gives access to the subway station.

The lovely Stavropoleos Church was built in 1724 by Greek monk, Ioanikie Stratonikeas. It has an intricately carved entrance that is lined with columns, this Brancovenesc-style church stands apart as a unique landmark in Bucharest. This Orthodox church features stone and wood carvings and has a combination of Romanian and Byzantine elements. It is surrounded by a garden courtyard with 18th-century tombstones. There is a unique library with a large collection of books about Byzantine music. The church hosts concerts and other events.

The Palace of the Parliament has become one of the top tourist attractions in Bucharest. It is the second-largest administrative building in the world. There are more than 3,000 rooms and everything is constructed in marble and steel. Originally it was known as the People’s House by Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, who used it as his family residence and as the seat of government. In order to complete this palace, he had over 20,000 workers and 700 architects working on this neo-Classical palace for 13 years from 1985 to 1997. It is still unfinished today, a small portion houses the parliamentary headquarters of Romania and the National Museum of Contemporary Art.

Atop of one of the city’s few hills is the Metropolitan Church under the Romanian Orthodox faith since the 17th century. It was built by Constantin Serban Basarab, ruler of the Walachia province between 1656 and 1658. The design was inspired by the Curtea de Arges Monastery. The Byzantine interior has one of the city’s most incredible iconostasis as well as intricately carved side altars. There is an impressive bell tower that was built in 1698 and restored in 1958.

Next door but closed to the public is the Patriarchal Palace which is the residence of the Teocists, the supreme leader of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

When you are done sightseeing and want to relax and find some entertainment in the great outdoors, go to one of the many parks in Bucharest like Herastrau Park.

This park stretches from the Arch of Triumph to the Baneasa Bridge.

Here you can find lots of attractions, including a boat rental complex, tennis courts, and an old-fashioned fairground. In the summertime, visitors can find terraces in which to relax, and people watch on the shores of the lake. This park also houses the Village Museum. The streets surrounding the park have beautiful homes built in various architectural styles as well as modern luxury villas.

The Bucharest Botanical Garden was established in 1860 and has over 10,000 different species of plants. Among the highlights are the many greenhouses, an informative museum, and lots of colorful flower beds.

Therme Bucharest is the largest water park in Europe using thermal water. It is a beautiful oasis with palm trees, orchids, and other exotic plants. The air is at a constant 30 degrees Celsius and the thermal waters at 33 degrees Celsius. Both adults and children enjoy the large water slides.

Museums

The National Museum of Romanian History is housed in an attractive neo-Classical building initially built for the Romanian postal service. Since 1970, the museum's 60 rooms have displayed Romania's most fascinating historical exhibits dating from prehistoric to modern times. The biggest permanent exhibit is a huge replica of the 2nd-century Trajan's Column, built in honor of the conquering Roman emperor Trajan, who defeated Romania's ancient Dacian tribes. Thousands of gold items and Neolithic artifacts, including jewelry dating to the time of the Geto-Dacians, can be found in the Romanian Treasury. The Romanian Crown Jewels are on permanent display. Of interest are gold artifacts from the 4th-century Pietroasele Treasures. It was once considered the most valuable treasure collection in the world before Tutankhamun's tomb was unearthed.

The National Museum of Art of Romania is the country’s leading art museum. It has the world’s most complete collection of Romanian art, including medieval and modern art. The museum was established in 1948. Here you’ll find the Royal Collection, including Romanian and European art dating back to the 15th century. Altogether there are over 100,000 works of art in the various halls, including paintings by the country’s most celebrated artists, Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, and Gheorghe Tattarescu. The modern Romanian collection features sculptures by Milita Petrascu and Dimitrie Paciurea, and one room is dedicated to Constantin Brancusi, one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century. The European Gallery has fifteen rooms with artworks by El Greco, Monet, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Rubens.

The George Enescu Museum is housed in an impressive Art Nouveau building, The building has a decorative facade and oyster-shaped glass entrance. Among the highlights are the ceiling frescoes which depict cherubs holding musical instruments. On display are elegant antique furnishings and the personal objects pertaining to Romanian composer, violinist, conductor, and teacher George Enescu.

The Museum of Collections displays some of the finest art and decorative object collections in the country. On display, you can find Biedermeier chairs, weapons, glassware, Persian rugs, and much more. All of these objects were brought to Romania by some of the richest aristocratic families in the capital from their foreign travels.

Frederic and Cecilia Cuțescu-Storck Art Museum is housed in their memorial home. Cecilia Cutescu-Storck was a Romanian painter who had a strong influence on cultural life in the interwar period. She was a promoter of feminism and contributed to the establishment of the Association of Women Painters and Sculptors and the Feminine Artistic Circle. Frederic Cutescu-Storck was a Romanian sculptor. Inside the house, you can see walls and ceilings covered in large murals that depict forest nymphs, trees, and flower motifs. You can see collections of oil paintings, sculptures, antique furniture, icons, and pottery.

The Museum of the Romanian Peasant has the most extensive and valuable collection of folk costumes in the country. You can also enjoy seeing traditional ceramics, carpets, rugs, and household objects, altogether almost 100.000 items. On the premises is a cafe offering traditional Romanian food and beverages.

The Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum or Village Museum is an open-air museum stretching through Herastrau Park and showing the traditional Romanian way of life. You can walk through 300 traditional buildings, among them various types of churches, workshops, and mills. Each of these buildings was taken apart, shipped to the museum, and rebuilt so it would turn into a village-like setting within the park. The Village Museum displays artifacts and pottery, and other traditional items from around Romania.