Bucharest

Travel instructions

Detailed information following soon. The Yoga Contest takes place at Pipera Hall 1, B-dul Dimitrie Pompei nr 3-5, Bucharest.

Bucharest at a glance

A city of paradoxes and contrasts, Bucharest is the miraculous result of ecclesiastic architecture. From Curtea Veche – the ruins of the ancient palace built by Vlad Țepeș in the 15^th century – to the Orthodox churches and the Parliament Palace, built in the communist era and the second biggest building in the world after Pentagon, Bucharest exhibits its more than half a millennium old story, each century leaving its mark in a distinct and original way. In the 30s, boulevards bordered by trees and the ‘fin de siecle’ architecture won this city the name of little Paris. The resemblance is as true as anywhere on Kisseleff Street – a bit longer than the Champs Elysee – where the visitor can see an exact copy of the famous Arch of Triumph from the French capital.

Although Bucharest’s beautiful architecture was gravely defaced during communism and most of the old town was torn down to make way for the ugly Soviet style buildings that you can see today in many parts of the city, most foreigners that return to Bucharest say that the city is the kind that is slowly growing on you and that if you give it more time it will fully reward you. It has an inexplicable charm that silently invites its visitors to ask for more of it.

Parliament Palace (Palatul Parlamentului)

Most of those who grew up in Bucharest absolutely hate this big ugly Soviet-style building which represents the peak of Ceaușescu’s megalomania. Even the younger dwellers of the city remember a little about how that part of the city used to look before they tore it down for the civic center. Many old beautiful buildings were demolished to make way for this monstrosity (as considered by many). At that time there was a joke going around: the boulevard that ends with the Parliament Palace (which used to be called The House of the People) was to be called “The Victory of Socialism” and the joke was that in fact its name is “The Victory of Socialism against Bucharest”. Nonetheless this building is a big tourist attraction in Bucharest (the second largest building in the world in terms of surface, competing with the Pentagon in size). This is why usually its name is the first one that pops in a discussion about sightseeing in Bucharest. If you visit the building you’ll definitely be impressed by the size of it: the rooms are one of the biggest one can see in a lifetime. The building is now used as the parliament house as well as for conferences, exhibitions and various institutions and it can be visited by guided tours. A part of it also hosts the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Address: Unirii Blvd.

Romanian Atheneum – Ateneul Roman

This is the place to hear classical music in Bucharest. The resident orchestra is George Enescu Philharmonic. Bucharest’s most prestigious concert hall and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city was built in 1888 in neo-classical style after a design by the French architect Albert Galleron. With its 40 m high dome and the six Doric columns it resembles a Greek ancient temple. The beautiful facade is adorned with mosaics depicting images of five prominent Romanian rulers. On the inside there are scenes from Romanian history. Address: Piața Revoluției (Revoluției Square – 1-3, Franklin St.).

Stravopoleos Church – Biserica Stavropoleos

Bucharest is a city of many beautiful orthodox churches – this small church is no exception, being one of the most beautiful in the city. It was built in 1724 during the ruling of Phanariot Prince Nicolae Mavrocordat by the Greek monk Ioanichie. The church is representative for the Brâncovenesc style which blends Ottoman and Western elements together with traditional Romanian architectural designs. The inside is equally beautiful, with wood and stone carvings and paintings as well as frescoes. Address: you’ll find this architectural jewwl at the junction of Poștei Street with Stavropoleos Street.

Museum of Romanian Peasant (Muzeul Taranului Roman)

A winner of the European Museum of the Year Award in 1996, the Museum of Romanian Peasant is a must see in Bucharest. A short visit to the museum will convince you that this award is well deserved. The collection includes 18000 pieces of pottery and 20000 samples of national dress from all over the country, as well as carpets, icons, furniture, photographs and films documenting in detail the customs of rural life. But what makes it special is the way the collection is arranged; the museum looks more like an art gallery rather than a museum. The display information is hand written on pieces of paper or illustrated by freehand sketches. In one of the galleries you can see a wooden church and in another a wooden peasant house. They also have some beautiful “troițe” (beautiful wood carved crosses placed at crossroads or at the outskirts of a village).

This is not all: the museum building has an interesting story as well. The museum was founded in 1905 under the name of Ethnographical and National Art Museum. In 1906 King Carol I laid the foundation for the present building; the construction was stopped in 1916 and restarted in 1932. It was completed only in 1935, 29 years after it was started. The red-brick building is an illustration of the neo-Romanian style inspired from the traditional architecture. In 1953, the communists “liberated” the building and sent the collection away to another location. The building was turned into a museum dedicated to the history of the Communist Party. In 1990 the museum returned to its old location. Address: 3, Kiseleff Ave.

Cismigiu Garden (Gradina Cismigiu)

Take a break from the big city hassle right in the center of it: Cișmigiu Garden is the place where one can find an oasis of peace and fresh air for a few hours. The garden is located close to Universității Square, across the City Hall building. It is Bucharest’s oldest park and a great place to stroll and enjoy the peace that one can feel when finding such a place in the middle of a hectic city. Among the lawns and trees and the winding paths you’ll find a lake with rowboat rentals, a beer garden, a playground for children, a chess area where the elders of the city play tournaments and plenty of park benches for relaxing. Sometimes there are Sunday concerts at the gazebo. Cișmigiu Garden was first designed and laid out in 1830 by the German landscape architect Carl Meyer, on the commission of Prince Gheorghe Bibescu, but it wasn’t completed until 1860. More than 30,000 trees and plants were brought in from the Romanian mountains to be planted on the 17 hectares park. Address: Regina Elisabeta Blvd.

The Palace of Justice (Palatul de Justitie)

This building was erected in 1890-1895, in a French Rennaissance style, following the plans of the architects Albert Ballu and Ion Mincu. The construction was finished by Ion Mincu. The statues that mark the entrance are the work of Romanian artist Karol Storck and they symbolize the Law, the Righteousness, the Justice, the Truth, the Force and the Prudence. Address: 5, Splaiul Independenței.

Herastrau Park

Bucharest’ biggest park, Herăstrău Park is located in the North part of the city. It has an area of around 110 ha and the Herăstrău Lake itself measures an area of aproximately 74 ha. The alley that surrounds this park has 5,92 km.

The park has a bit of a history too: around 1806, the elite of the old Bucharest was strolling on the shores of Lake Herăstrau. Many years later, in 1936 Herăstrău Park was built, by draining the swamps that surrounded the lake. Also in 1936, on the territory of the newly created park, through the efforts of renowned sociologist Dimitrie Gusti, it was opened the Village Museum, one of the largest institutions of its kind in Europe, which highlights by the use of specific means, the whole ethnographic and folkloric richness of the population from different regions of Romania.

Bucharest’s Old Town

Bucharest’s Old Town is a mix of history, local culture and life style, a trendy entertainment district and favorite hangout for the locals. After decades of neglect, major infrastructure renovation works have breathed new life into Bucharest’s Old Town. Many of its superb period buildings have been refurbished or restored, while others, whose beauty contrasts sharply with their state of degradation, are still waiting for their time; the historic architecture, the old churches, the outdoor terraces and cafés as well as the romantic feel make the Old Town one of the most enticing area of the city.

The Old Town is the old district of artisans and merchants that emerged around the Princely Court back in the 16th century. The first Lipscani Lane, paved with wood, has recently been discovered at a depth of 3.30 meters below the current street level. Many of the streets are still named after the various craft guilds of the time, such as Blănari (“Furriers”), Șelari (“Saddlers”) or Băcani (“Grocers”). The trade center was in its hay days a bustling, colorful Balkan place, with its merchants shouting out loud, praising their wares and trying to attract customers. Address: Lipscani St.