Bucharest is Romania’s capital and, at the same time, the largest city and the most important industrial and commercial center in the country. This article will explore its history and the top sights to explore if you decide to come over.

Historical discoveries up to the present day show that the town was mentioned for the first time in a written document in 1459. It became the capital of Romania in 1862. Since then, it’s gone through continuous changes, becoming the most important center for artistic, cultural, and media events.

Due to its elegant architecture and its intellectual elite, Bucharest earned the nickname “Little Paris” between the two World Wars. Bucharest lies in the country’s south-eastern region, between Ploiesti and Giurgiu, on the Dambovita River banks, which flows into the Arges River, a tributary of the Danube.

There are several lakes within the city, such as Floreasca, Tei, or Colentina. But the most popular one, situated in the center of the capital, is Cișmigiu, which is in a beautiful park that bears the same name. There are numerous exciting tourist attractions and vast and beautifully landscaped parks in the city of Bucharest. There are also many clubs and a historical center full of bohemian cafes and pubs for nightlife.

The Long History of Bucharest

According to legends and tradition, Bucharest inherited its name from a shepherd called Bucur, who was the first to settle here. Whether we are to believe the tales or not, the truth is that this region has represented a vital transhumance route since prehistoric times.

Therefore, it is not too hard to imagine that some of these shepherds began building farms and establishing themselves in the area. In fact, the Dambovita village is mentioned in documents dating from the reign of Vladislav Vlaicu (14th century), and this village could as well be today’s Bucharest.

Whether that initial village was what became Bucharest or not, “the city on the Dambovita” was indeed built during Mircea the Elder’s reign (1386 – 1418), on the spot where the Old-Court’s ruins are today. This town was a wooden fort, surrounded by a high fence and several wooden houses, which probably belonged to the village mentioned above.

“The city of the Dambovita” had a military purpose, so it was initially full of smithies and barracks. This situation changes with the reign of Vlad Tepes, whose previous capital was in Târgoviște. Because of his aggressive policy towards the Ottoman Turks and his many campaigns and expeditions in the south, he decided his capital should be closer to the Danube. That is when Bucharest became the capital of medieval Wallachia, a critical moment in the city’s history. The city developed rapidly during the following years, and rulers and important noble families founded numerous churches.

Churches and monasteries owned extensive estates, including farmland and pastures, and formed the nucleus around which merchants and artisans gathered. Their workshops, farms, and warehouses led to a gradual expansion of the city and strong trade. Despite its rapid growth, Bucharest was not always the capital.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, there was a fierce competition between the current capital, Târgoviște and Curtea de Argeș, for the honor of being the ruler’s seat. Under Nicholas Mavrocordat in the 18th century and Alexander Ypsilanti in the 19th, Bucharest developed significantly: the roads were paved, the first schools were founded, and the settlement underwent an extensive urbanizing process.

Although during those times, the city was often flooded by the Dambovita River and mud studded the vineyards and the orchards, this did not stop the nobles’ and merchants’ aspirations for luxury. They were known for dressing in expensive clothes in bright colors, in a fashion style inspired by Eastern and Western cultures, and traveled in richly decorated carriages. Because of this contrast of luxury and landscapes showing absolute poverty, Bucharest remained in the memory of foreign travelers as a border between Europe and Asia, representing the fusion and exchange between the two cultures.

Population growth, modernization, increased urbanization, and cultural life development continued unabated during the 19th century despite the numerous fires, pestilence, and many earthquakes that affected the city during this period.

The period between 1859 (the union of Moldavia and Wallachia) and 1946 (beginning of the Communist regime) was the most flourishing period for Bucharest. This is when the city broke away from the Eastern Byzantine culture and started to find inspiration in the West. During this period, the city’s first large factories were founded, producing everything from cigarettes, beer, soap bars, candles, or textiles to heavy machinery and aircraft.

The town served as an important commercial center, attracting businessmen and tycoons from all over Europe and even from the United States. These massive businesses and financial opportunities led to the development of the local bourgeoisie, who replaced the old noblemen and the priests as the most important and influential social class in the city.

The number of people belonging to the working class increased since the new factories’ opportunities drew many. German troops occupied Bucharest during the Second World War. It was bombed by the Anglo-American airforce and, then, by Romania’s former allies, the Germans. During the communist period, entire neighborhoods of residential apartment buildings, specific to communist countries, have been built. Unfortunately, to make room for statues glorifying the ideology and the communist leaders and plants and factories, many churches and old buildings that stood in the way of this new vision were demolished.

Many places that determined the charm and style of “Little Paris” were destroyed forever. After the Revolution of 1989, the most critical uprising among the numerous events of this type in Bucharest’s history, efforts were made to regain the name of ​​”Little Paris.” But the legacy of the communist regime cannot be removed or masked. However, this period’s history has not yet been written. Maybe in a few decades, the city will be able to regain its uniqueness.

Top sights in Bucharest 

The Parliament Palace

The Parliament Palace (or The People’s House, as it was known before 1989) is genuinely imposing – it is the second-largest building globally, after the Pentagon and one of Bucharest’s most visited sights. Built at Ceausescu’s orders on an artificial hill, it is one of the city’s most intriguing buildings. This grand palace-like construction was designed in an eclectic style, bringing together influences of the Renaissance, Germanic and Baroque elements, and the Brancovenian style and authentic Romanian decorations.

The Palace has over 1,000 rooms where one can admire wooden furniture and beautifully carved doors, marble columns, crystal chandeliers, silk curtains, and excellent carpets. There are numerous large halls and long corridors. The largest room is the Union Hall, with a height of 16 m and a total surface of 2200 square feet. The largest chandelier in the building, with a weight of three tons and designed for 7,000 bulbs, was placed here. It is a huge tourist attraction, a universe of luxury and extravagance, built when Romanians were going through one of the darkest times in our history.

The Village Museum

The Village Museum in BUCHAREST was founded in the spring of 1936 by the Romanian Sociology School under Professor Dimitrie Gusti’s leadership. It is located in a beautiful green area near Herăstrau Lake. Initially, the museum was an ensemble of 233 units (houses, annexes, workshops, churches), covering 5 hectares.

Thirty traditional Romanian houses, specific to different regions in the country, could be visited here. Together with 1,100 workers of various trades and artisans from 130 villages, many intellectuals and specialists created this spectacular museum. Over the years, the museum’s area increased to about 15 hectares, and the number of buildings placed here now exceeds 300. More than 4 ha are equipped with all the annexes that used to be part of the peasants’ everyday life: workshops, outbuildings, and churches.

The National Village Museum in Bucharest is one of the first museums of this type in the world. Aiming to provide a more conclusive picture of peasant life, the spirit of inventiveness, and the people’s remarkable artistic sense, the museum tries to recreate a natural and intimate atmosphere in each house. There are barns, stables, and other outbuildings around each household. Fences made of wood, twigs or mud, imposing gates, modest interiors with traditional furniture, work tools, dishes, rugs, and all sorts of fabrics are worthy of the visitors’ appreciation.

The Herastrau Park

Part of the National Village Museum is placed along the Herastrau Lake. Since you are in the area, it would be a pity not to spend some time in the Herăstrau Park. The place is perfect for long walks as it is surrounded by nature. The Park was built on the lake’s shore in 1936, but it has been restored over time, and it is truly spectacular.

The Arch of Triumph

The first triumphal arch was built in a rush in 1878 to welcome the troops returning from the War of Independence. But the arch became deteriorated after a short while because it was constructed of lightweight materials. Other temporary arches were built in 1906 and, then, in 1918, for the parade of the Romanian troops which had participated in the First World War. Finally, the Arch of Triumph was rebuilt in stone between 1935 and 1936 by the architect Petre Antonescu.

The monument has a classic look and is decorated with stone carvings that depict the victory symbolically and other allegories. The south façade is beautifully adorned with two bronze medallions, representing King Ferdinand and Queen Mary. The current medallions only replace the original ones, which the communists destroyed after the ’80s. Two large stone flowers were used to replace them, but these were removed after 1989, and the Royals were restored to the arch.

The Old Town

Indeed, the Historical Center of BUCHAREST is one the most popular and chic areas in the city. The site is studded with buildings designed in Neoclassical and Neo-Baroque styles. Many alluring terraces, cafes, restaurants, and shops now function in these buildings. A walk along the winding and crowded streets of the Historical Center will give you the impression that you have made a journey through time and arrived in the BUCHAREST of another era.

Main sights in the Old Town area

The Stavropoleos Church

The Stavropoleos Church is hidden behind the taller building of the former Palace of the Post Office (now, the National Museum of History). A Greek monk built this small but stunning church. It is the most representative building for the Brâncovenean style. Its stone columns, pedestals, capitals, and porch railings, decorated with vegetal and animal motifs, are incredible.

Manuc’s Inn

Manuc’s Inn dates back to the 18th century. It is situated in an area where the most important fair in BUCHAREST was held. Back then, dozens of inns, one more picturesque than the other, hosted merchants and travelers.

They came to the fair during that golden age, which lasted for almost two centuries. This inn is by far one of the most famous buildings of this kind in Wallachia, not only because of its impressive size but also because of its founder, the legendary Manuc Bey.

The Old Court

The Old Court is an ensemble of ruins of the ancient fortress. Its foundations date from the Medieval Era. It is probably one of the most important and oldest monuments in BUCHAREST. Often overlooked due to the state of disrepair and abandonment in which it found itself until recently, The Old Court is practically spread on the whole surface of the Historical Center of BUCHAREST.

The ruins of the Old Court have long been neglected, except for some archaeological researches. Today, however, this situation began to improve, renovation and rehabilitation projects concerning the old city of BUCHAREST having been launched. The number of visitors eager to go on a fascinating journey into the city’s hidden past has gradually increased as well.

The Savings Bank – CEC

The Savings Palace (CEC) was founded in 1864 through a law initiated by Alexandru Ioan Cuza. Initially, the institution functioned in various buildings, but in 1875 it received its own headquarters. The place where the CEC is currently operating was previously occupied by St. John the Great Church, which was demolished to make room for the new building. As the CEC developed quickly, the old headquarters became overcrowded, so the office was destroyed to begin constructing a new one on the same spot.

The current seat of the CEC was designed by the French architect Paul Gottereau. The beginning of works was marked by a ceremony held on 8th June 1897, attended by the royal family, several government members, and the CEC board. In 1900, the building was completed and has served as the headquarters of CEC ever since.

More marvels to explore in Bucharest…

The Romanian Athenaeum 

The Romanian Athenaeum is one of the most representative buildings in the capital, an authentic symbol for the Romanians. It was built between 1886 and 1888 at the initiative of a group of intellectuals eager to endow Bucharest with a spacious hall specially designed to host important artistic and musical events.

The building was planned by the French architect Albert Galleron and Romanian architect Constantin Baicoianu. The authorities raised through public subscriptions. The citizens of BUCHAREST responded positively to the famous call “Give a penny for the Athenaeum” (“Dati un leu Pentru Ateneu”).

The Athenaeum has a neoclassical facade and a large dome in the Baroque style. It resembles an Ionic temple with six frontal and two lateral columns. With a diameter of 28.50 m and 16 m in height, the large concert hall has a capacity of 1.000 seats. It is decorated with a fresco that outlines the main events in Romania’s history.

The National Art Museum or the Royal Palace 

The National Art Museum has the richest and most representative artwork collection in the country, including Romanian and foreign artworks. The National Art Museum boasts three art galleries: The European Art Gallery, The Romanian Medieval Art Gallery, and The Romanian Modern Art Gallery.

The Romanian Medieval Art Gallery owns the most important heritage of Romanian medieval art. Its exhibition illustrates the evolution of arts in Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania, beginning with the 10th until the 19th century. Pieces of furniture, textiles, silverware and jewelry, ceramics, icons, manuscripts, sculptures, shrines, and altars are part of this collection. The works are displayed in an attractive and modern way. Every visit is enjoyable and instructive at the same time.

The Patriarchal Cathedral

The Patriarchal Cathedral building was started by Constantin Serban Basarab in 1656 and was completed in 1668 by one of his descendants. The Cathedral is dedicated to Sts. Constantine and Helen. It was initially a large and vital monastic settlement, but only the church resisted in time.

The Cathedral was initially meant as a copy of the beautiful church founded by Neagoe Basarab at Curtea de Arges, but it has suffered significant changes over time. The building has a note of simplicity, robustness, and balance. The facade is magnificent, the arched columns resting on a thick stone waist harmonizing beautifully with the blindside.

The Holy Trinity or Radu Voda Monastery

The Holy Trinity Monastery is located downtown, on the shore of the Dambovita River. It is situated near Union Square and across the street from the Old Court, bordering the Patriarchate’s Hill. The Radu Voda Ensemble is a place of great historical, artistic, and spiritual importance in Romania. The monastery’s tangled history is very similar to the Romanian people’s history, having met all sorts of obstacles, many defeats, and victories.

The first church and the second church, dating from the 16th century, were destroyed. Nowadays, the complex includes The Radu Voda Church, the steeple, the Theological Seminary, and the Royal Palace’s ruins. The bell tower is the tallest in Bucharest, with a height of about 25 meters. The Radu Voda Church’s architecture is noteworthy: its outer walls are 1.5 meters thick, and it is embellished with beautiful and sober decorations. Its mural paintings have been completely restored. There are parts of the Holy Relics of St. Nectarous the Wonderworker in this beautiful shrine.

The National Museum of Natural History Grigore Antipa

The Museum of Natural History owns impressive scientific collections, counting two million specimens of invertebrates and vertebrates. The permanent exhibitions include objects ranging from rocks and minerals in rare shapes and colors to the terrifying skeleton of a Deinotherium gigantissimum. The Grigore Antipa Museum can be easily counted among the most visited attractions in Bucharest, and it’s a great stop if you’re visiting with children.

The Botanical Garden Demetrius Brandza

The Botanical Garden is very rich in numerous species of plants. If you like nature and want to take a few hours to relax, it should definitely be included on your list of top sights. A walk in the garden should start from the outer sectors, where you can discover rare plants, Mediterranean and popular hill roses, or a beautiful collection of conifers. The inner sectors boast palm trees and other tall plants, orchids, and succulent cactuses. The complex also includes the Botanical Museum and a Herbarium that preserves 22 biotypes.

The National Military Museum

Another interesting place is The National Military Museum, which owns various collections belonging to Romanian uniforms, weapons, aviation, cosmology, and carriages and harnesses. The collections include valuable items such as the swords and the guns belonging to King Carol and King Ferdinand I.

Don’t miss the uniform collection, which contains King Carol I, King Ferdinand II, and costumes belonging to Queen Elisabeth and Queen Mary. Visit the most extensive collection of orders, medals, plaques, and badges; it includes over 10 500 exhibits from 53 countries. The museum was built in 1912, and it is tributary to the French Neoclassical style. The sumptuous interiors have hosted many balls and reunions over time. Nowadays, various openings and temporary exhibitions of paintings and sculptures and book launches take place here.

The Zambaccian Museum

In 1946, Krikor Zambaccian donated his house and his art collection to build an art museum. He had a collection of 310 works, some of which have been publicly displayed since 1947, when the museum was inaugurated.

The Zambaccian collection comprises mainly high-quality Romanian works of art. The Museum provides a synthetic picture of Romanian art’s evolution, beginning with the second half of the 19th century until the middle of the 20th century.

The Cotroceni Palace

The Cotroceni Palace was initially built as the residence of Kings Ferdinand and Queen Mary of Romania. It was designed by the French architect Paul Gottreau, and its buildings lasted for two years, from 1893 to 1895. The Palace was expanded several times during the 20th century.

Major renovations were carried out between 1900 and 1910 and between 1915 and 1925 to transform the interior to meet Queen Mary’s requirements and promote the Neo-Romanian style. Between 1971 and 1986, the Palace underwent extensive new restoration works, during which essential parts of the building have been restored according to the era’s witnesses. The interiors were refurbished in the spirit of European princely residences of the 19th century.

The result of all these restoration works is a great diversity of architectural styles and interior decorations. The monumental staircase surrounded by wide galleries in French Neo-Baroque style resembles the one at the Opera House in Paris, which, in fact, served as a model. Original pieces of furniture, interior textile items, and paintings belonging to the royal family can be found at the Cotroceni Palace.

The tombstone of the Cantacuzino family and various ornaments and coins, and the costume of Smaranda Cantacuzino are part of the collections displayed at Cotroceni. The Palace also boasts a significant collection of books. After 1977, the Palace was used by the former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu as a guest house. Since 1991, the building became the official residence of the President of Romania.