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The capital of Romania that got its name thanks to its legendary founder - shepherd named Bucur – is located on a plateau between the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube river. In 1930, the city was known as the “Eastern Paris”. However, since then the earthquakes, the Second World War bombings and Ceausescu’s rule destroyed all its pre-war beauty.
In 1980, Ceausescu demolished 7000 blocks of flats and 26 churches in the historical southern part of Bucharest to build the city administrative centre here. The main part of this centre is occupied by a huge 12-store Palace of the Parliament, which
was to be the world’s highest building but in fact turned out to be only the second after Pentagon. Executed before the building was finished, Ceausescu planned to locate the President’s office, the central committee, and offices for all the state ministers here. Iliescu and his government did not know what to do with such a “present” and thought of demolishing it. However, in 1994 it was decided to keep this building as it was and hold international conferences in it. Nowadays there are excursions organized around the Palace of the Parliament attended by tour guides, so you have a chance to have a closer look on this beautiful 3100-room building.
If you want to feel the breath of the past, go to the central part of Bucharest where the old Curtea Veche (the Old Court of the King) is located. Built in the 16th century, it is adorned with well-preserved frescos. George Enescu museum displays the musician’s manuscripts and personal belongings. There is also the Palace Athenee hotel located in Bucharest, where the characters of the Balkan Trilogy book by Olivia Manning meet. It took about 50 million dollars to restore this building and now it is one of the most prestigious and expensive city hotels.
The Ghencea Civil Cemetery is located in the western part of Bucharest and was the final shelter for Ceausescu family. Nicolae’s grave is very graceful, with flowers and candles decorating it – however, Elena’s grave is worse looked after. As for their son Nicu, he’s buried not far from his parents.
Various kinds of lodging are offered in Bucharest: this might be a room in a private house, a hostel or a hotel. Most of these are located in the city centre or close to the Gara de Nord railway station.
Lots of expensive but high-quality restaurants appeared here during the last years, offering tourists international food. However, it is also easy to find traditional Romanian cuisine restaurants in the centre of Bucharest. There are lots of bars, nightclubs, theatres and cinemas in the city as well.
Even despite all the shock left by the communist times, day by day Bucharest is joining the course of the new life: its
economy is going uphill, historical districts and buildings are restored, cultural life is in its full swing and numerous entertainment venues are opened here. Many tourists that come to Romania just to see the legendary Transylvania are surprised to find out that there is much more to see and to experience here.
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