Location

The Romanian capital of Bucharest was founded during the medieval period on the banks of the Dambovita River, close to a number of natural lakes which are now part of the city. Whilst some of Bucharest’s historic quarters were lost during the country’s more turbulent past, the city has a wealth of stunning 18th and 19th century buildings and palaces as well as more recent impressive modern architectural additions. The Palace of the Parliament, constructed during the 1980’s, dominates the city skyline with its classical design and is the largest building in Europe, housing galleries and offices as well as the Romanian Parliament. Amongst these landmarks, Bucharest has many parks and gardens, theatres and museums which attract visitors year-round to the city.

The architectural style of Bucharest was influenced greatly by French architect Paul Gottereanu who designed more than fifty buildings in the city centre during the late nineteenth century. These complement the eclectic mix of neoclassical, Art Nouveau and Neogothic buildings and palaces, as well as surviving medieval areas in the Lipscani area. These cobbled streets are pedestrianised and are home to many small galleries and cafes. Several of the most ornate palaces are open to the public and contain museums, notably Cantacuzino Palace, an elegant late nineteenth century home on the exclusive Calea Vitoriei, and Sutu Palace. The Cantacuzino Palace was built as a residence for a former Romanian President but was later home to one of Romania’s most famous composers, and now contains the George Enescu museum. The Sutu Palace now houses the Bucharest History and Art Museum and is noted for its ornate painted ceilings.

Places to visit

Many museums can be found in Bucharest, and these include; the National Museum of Art, housed in a former Royal Palace, the Grigore Antipa Museum of Natural History, the National History Museum and the Zambaccian, which although small, includes works of art by Cezanne, Matisse, Pissarro and Picasso. Other cultural landmarks include the Romanian National Opera, National Theatre and the Romanian Athenaeum, an ornate and richly decorated concert hall which is the residence of the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra. Elsewhere in the city, amongst the most recognizable landmarks are the Arcul de Triumph, a monument based on Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, and the Memorial of Rebirth in Revolution Square. This striking modern sculpture commemorates those who lost their lives during the 1989 revolution. Perhaps the most recognizable landmark of all is Ceauşescu’s Palace of the Parliament, with its lavish architecture and interiors. Housing the National Museum of Contemporary Art, large parts of the building are open to the public.

Parks and gardens

Within the city, a number of parks and gardens stand out amongst Bucharest’s most popular attractions. The Cişmigiu gardens are the oldest in Bucharest and cluster around an artificial lake at the center. They contain a number of interesting sculptures and remain largely unchanged since the early twentieth century, and have remained a popular meeting place for the people of Bucharest ever since. Located in the Controceni district, the Botanic Gardens are home to over 10,000 specimens, and a Botanic museum at the entrance displays a number of interesting and exotic species. A later addition to Bucharest’s green spaces, Herastrau Park was opened during the 1930’s and also centers around a large lake. The park is skirted by some of the city’s most affluent neighbourhoods with many beautiful buildings reflecting differing architectural styles. The Romanian Village Museum is located here and uniquely displays examples of 300 traditional buildings moved from across the country to be preserved as examples of the architectural and cultural history of rural Romania. The Museum of the Romanian Peasant, also located nearby, is a former winner of the European Museum of the Year and exhibits artifacts and folk art illustrating the country’s heritage.

 Weather

Bucharest in early summer is warm and dry apart from the occasional storm. The continental climate means that daytime temperatures are usually between 20 - 25°C in June