Bucharest Wallachia | monuments, attractions, tourism

Built between 1905 and 1909 at the initiative of then-Russian ambassador Mihail Nicolaevici Giers and with the approval of Tsar Nicholas II, the Church of Saint Nicholas initially served a dual purpose: a place of worship for the growing Russian community in Bucharest, and a symbol of diplomatic détente in Russian–Romanian relations in the early 20th century.

To complete the works, the Romanov imperial family contributed about 600,000 gold rubles. The architectural plan was prepared by a team of Italian and Russian builders.

The iconostasis—the church’s most beautiful ornament—is intricately carved and gilded, impressive for its composition, size, and masterful craftsmanship. It was made in Moscow, modeled after the Catapetesma of the Cathedral of the Archangels in the Kremlin.

The imperial icons were painted by Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov (1848–1926), one of the most important figures of the Russian Revival style. Vasnetsov, a draftsman, painter, and set designer, is best known as the creator of the famous façade of the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, a classic example of Russian Revival art.

Today, the church serves as the university chapel for the University of Bucharest.

The Church of Saint Demetrius has a long history dating back to the 17th century. The first mention of the church dates from 1715, while the construction of the present building was completed in 1778.

It is an example of Orthodox architecture, with a façade decorated with frescoes and carved details. Its interior is equally beautiful, rich in icons and murals. The church is dedicated to Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, a popular saint in the Orthodox tradition who is venerated as the patron of warriors and soldiers.

Built between June 8, 1897, and 1900, and located on Calea Victoriei opposite the National Museum of Romanian History, this building was constructed as the new headquarters of Romania’s oldest bank, the public savings institution Casa de Depuneri, Consemnațiuni și Economie, later known as CEC.

Built between 1906 and 1910 to the design of Petre Antonescu, one of the most important architects of the era, this Neo-Romanian building has a square shape with a main entrance and a vestibule flanked by three large columns at the center of the façade.

Between 1916 and 1918, during the German occupation in World War I, the building was used by the German High Command. Until 1948, when it was destroyed in bombings, it housed the Ministry of Public Works.

A concert hall in the center of Bucharest and a symbol of Romania’s capital.
Opened in 1888, the ornate domed building, circular in plan, is the city’s most prestigious concert venue and the home of the “George Enescu” Philharmonic as well as the George Enescu Festival.

Established in 1895 as the Library of the Carol I Foundation.
It was built on land purchased by King Carol I of Romania for the Carol I University Foundation and designed by French architect Paul Gottereau.

In the mid-19th century, this was the guild church of merchants, cotton weavers, and barbers. After being severely damaged in the Great Fire of Bucharest, it was demolished in 1860.
Work on the new church progressed slowly. In 1867, during a visit by Prince Carol, the difficult situation was presented to him, and he immediately promised a personal donation. His gift of ten thousand gold coins made the prince the ktetor (founder) of the new church.

The largest and one of the oldest universities in Romania. This includes the building of the Institute of Physical Medicine.

It is believed that the first church on this site was built in the mid-17th century, probably from wood, with mention of it found in a 1667 document. Legend says it was founded by goldsmiths.
The current church was built in 1705, with Spătar Mihail Cantacuzino as ktetor. He generously endowed the monastery with shops and estates, making it one of the wealthiest in the country during the 18th century.

Built between 1890 and 1895 according to the plans of architects Albert Ballu—who also designed the Palace of Justice in Charleroi, Belgium—and Ion Mincu, who supervised construction and sketched the interior decorations.

The foundation stone was laid personally by King Carol I of Romania on October 7, 1890. Witnesses recall that the ceremony followed the customs of the time: the king signed the location deed on parchment, sealed it with the royal seal, then, dressed in a white apron with gold fringes, placed the parchment in the foundation and laid the first brick.

A museum housed in the former Post Palace, which also contains the Philatelic Museum. Covering over 8,000 square meters, its collections are displayed in 60 exhibition halls.

It is the most important history and archaeology museum in Romania, both in terms of size and the value of its exhibits.

The first royal court in Bucharest, it ceased functioning after the 1718 fire that destroyed the entire city, followed by the 1738 earthquake. The whole royal complex consisted of the Voivodal Palace, the Annunciation Church (later known as Curtea Veche Church), a residence with reception halls, the royal chancery, stables, and a garden.

Researchers of Bucharest’s history believe that the court was built by Mircea the Elder sometime in the late 14th or early 15th century.

Its name, used in Old Romanian for several Catholic churches, comes from the Hungarian word of Slavic origin barát, meaning “brother” or “monk.”
The church’s history dates back to 1314, when the Franciscans built a wooden church near the early settlements of present-day Bucharest, mainly for Italian merchants traveling to the Byzantine Empire.

Also known as Palace Square, it is one of the largest squares in central Bucharest, located in front of the Palace of the Parliament—the largest building in Europe.

Palatul Camerei de Comerț București, also known as the Stock Exchange Palace, was inaugurated in 1911 with a speech by King Carol I. It served as a commodities exchange. The building has been listed as a historic monument by Romania’s Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs.

A historic building constructed in 1927 in the Beaux-Arts style, located at the corner of Victory Avenue and Independence Quay, in the southwestern corner of Bucharest’s Old Town.
Its style reflects the transition between Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

An Art Deco building completed in 1932.
After the nationalization of 1949, the General Association of Veterinary Doctors of Romania was dissolved, and the building became state property, permanently housing the Ministry of Justice.

A statue located on Brătianu Boulevard in Bucharest. In 1906, to mark the 1,800th anniversary of the Roman conquest of Dacia, the authorities of Rome gifted the citizens of Bucharest a copy of the famous Roman monument Lupa Capitolina.

The Dâmbovița River flows through the historic center of Romania’s capital, Bucharest. For centuries, it was the city’s main source of drinking water despite the presence of dozens of wells. To prevent flooding, parts of the river have been diverted into an artificial channel over the years.

The river’s name is of Slavic origin, meaning “oak” or “of the oak,” as it once flowed through oak forests on the Wallachian Plain.