Top 5 places to see in Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital of Romania, a member state of the European Union. Although it is not at all as visited as other capitals in the EU, Bucharest offers many interesting buildings and places.

1.    Palace of the Parliament

It is the most controversial building in Bucharest: while it amazes by size (being the second largest administrative building in the World, after the Pentagon), for the Romanian people it is also a vivid reminder of the sufferance they had to endure while former communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu continued his megalomaniac vision of the capital. The building has 12 stories above ground and 8 stories underground, as well as a huge anti-nuclear bunker. There are a total of 1100 rooms in the building. The construction began in 1981 and there still are parts of the building that have not been completed up to now.

2.    Triumphal Arch

The Triumphal Arch was raised in order to celebrate Romania’s victory in World War I. It was built in 1921 and restored in 1935. It is 27 meters tall, half the size of the Triumphal Arch in Paris.

3.    The Village Museum

It is an open air museum that illustrates the different architectural styles in rural Romania. The museum was opened to the general public in 1936. The houses in the museum have been dismembered from the area they come from, transported to Bucharest and that set back together within the museum. The oldest house was built in the 17^th century and the newest one was built in the 19^th century.

4.     Athenaeum

Built more than a century ago (between 1886-1888), The Atenaeum is a symbol for the Romanian culture and architecture. It is built in a neoclassical style, but it also has some romantic influences. The columns at the entrance remind us of ancient Greek buildings. In 1992 the building was seriously restored, the total cost of the restoration being of 9 million euros.

5.    The historic centre

The old centre of Bucharest lets you take a glance at the medieval era or admire the many palaces and old buildings it houses. Thanks to many investors and business men, the historic centre is now flourishing, becoming one of the most animated areas of the city. Lots of cafes, clubs and restaurant await you in this place of mixed architecture, culture and historical periods.