Bucharest - Places to Visit
Arch of Triumph
The towering 27m high Arch of Triumph is located in northern Bucharest at the second circus of the Kiseleff Boulevard. The magnificent stone arch was preceded by two temporary wooden arches, the first hastily built when Romania gained independence in 1878 in order for victorious troops to march under it and the second in 1922 after World War I. Built and designed by Romanian artists, the arch is a recognised symbol of the great city.
top ↑Revolution Square
Originally named Piata Palatului (Palace Square) because of the location of the Royal Palace, its name was changed to Revolution Square following the 1989 Romanian Revolution. It was in the square that the mass demonstrations against Ceausescu occurred resulting in the fall of the communist regime. Now home to the Senate the square is a perfect point from which to explore the Athenaeum, the Athénée Palace Hotel, the University of Bucharest Library and the Memorial of Rebirth.
top ↑Royal Palace
Built in the 19th century as the Royal Court of Princes Ghica, Stirbei and Alexandru Ioan Cuza the magnificent building is now home to the National Museum of Art. Three large galleries display medieval Romanian art, contemporary Romanian art and an international collection assembled by the Romanian royal family. As well as the three permanent exhibits the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions from a wide range of other disciplines and areas.
top ↑Romanian Athenaeum
One of the most famous Bucharest landmarks is the Romanian Athenaeum. The stunning neoclassical concert hall was opened in 1888 and the ornately decorated dome topping the building is one if it’s most beautiful features. The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, a great Romanian musical institution, has been based at the concert hall since 1889. With a beautiful park featuring a statue of the Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu, the Romanian Athenaeum is a must see.
top ↑Carol Park
Named after King Carol I of Romania the historic park is Bucharest’s most beautiful and safest city park. Visitors come not only to admire the park’s scenery, but also marvel at its attractions including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a mausoleum where the country’s most notable Communist leaders were buried. Illuminated at night the park can be seen in all its glory with its other main attractions the Giants’ Statues, the Cantacuzino Fountain and the Zodiac Fountain.
top ↑Parliament Palace
The prominent and imposing building was conceived by Romania’s Ceauşescu regime, although not finished in his time. In the Guinness book of records for being the world's largest civilian administrative building, most expensive administrative building, and heaviest building the Parliament Palace now houses both chambers of the Romanian Parliament. Built almost entirely from Romanian materials the building has still not been completed thanks to the excessive luxury of the plans and the little amount of money available.
top ↑Metropolitan Church
A church of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchy, the Metropolitan Church was built in 1658 by Constantin Şerban, Prince of Wallachian. Historically important, the church was where the first Romanian language version of the Bible was printed after the Bishopric was given a printing press under Şerban Cantacuzino in 1678.
top ↑