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Bucharest Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Bucharest
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Bucharest Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Bucharest - The nation's capital since 1862, Bucharest is
the country's largest and wealthiest metropolis. Tree-lined
boulevards, classical buildings and extravagant public structures
lie in juxtaposition to untidy, congested streets, unsightly
Stalinist apartment blocks and incomplete constructions. It is a
city that most people either love or hate at the first
encounter.
Once considered the 'Paris of the
East' for its long leafy avenues and grand buildings together with
its distinguished social scene enjoyed by the extravagant Romanian
aristocracy, the city's elegance and beauty soon deteriorated under
the harsh era of communism. The notorious redevelopment project by
Nicolae Ceausescu, leader of the Communist Party in 1965, was a
scandalous affair; in order to create an imitation Champs Elysee, a
Civic Centre and 12-storey palace for himself together with a
parliament building, he demolished an immense area of historic
architecture in the old city, including 26 churches. The parliament
building was designed to be the largest building in the world. It
is now known as the Palace of Parliament, second in size to the
Pentagon, and has become one of the city's prime tourist
attractions. Bucharest offers a number of superb
museums, galleries, exquisite Orthodox churches and architectural
surprises and its political legacy provides a fascinating selection
of sights where visitors can rediscover the events and emotions of
its history. It is experiencing renewed vigour; historic buildings
have been restored and there is plenty of nightlife and an
increasing amount of cultural events. Traditional Romanian cooking
can be savoured alongside international cuisine, and in summer
festive beer gardens and picturesque parks are filled with cheerful
crowds.
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Bucharest
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Palace of Parliament
Bulevardul Unirii
www.cdep.ro/cic |
What is it? Built by Communist Party leader, Nicolae
Ceausescu, the colossal Palace of Parliament is the second largest
building in the world after the Pentagon. It is an immense
structure that took 20,000 workers and 700 architects to build, and
cost billions. It has 12 storeys, 1,100 rooms, a 328 ft-long (100m)
lobby, and four underground levels including an enormous nuclear
bunker. Started in 1984, the dictator intended it to be the
headquarters of his Communist Government, but it was still
unfinished when he was executed in 1989. Today it houses the seat
of Romania's Parliament and is an international conference centre.
Widely viewed as a personification of his obsession with grandiose
things and actions, the construction entailed the demolition of a
quarter of Bucharest's historic centre, including 26 churches, and
the relocation of 40,000 inhabitants from their 19th-century homes
to new developments on the outskirts. Built and furnished
exclusively from Romanian materials, the building reflects the work
of the country's best artisans. A guided tour takes visitors
through a small section of dazzling rooms, huge halls and quarters
used by the Senate (when not in session). The interior is a
luxurious display of crystal chandeliers, mosaics, oak panelling
and marble, gold leaf and stained glass windows, and the floors are
covered in rich carpets. The largest room has a sliding roof wide
enough for a helicopter to enter. Tour guides delight in recounting
tales of the vast amounts of money that went to waste in decorating
and re-decorating its rooms.
Hours of Operation: Daily 10am to 4pm
Phone:(0)21 311 3611 (reservations) |
2. The Village Museum
Kiseleff Road 28-30
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What is it? One of Bucharest's finest sights is the
Village Museum, situated within the Herastrau Park alongside a
lake. It is a fascinating outdoor museum with a collection that
spans more than 300 buildings representing the history and design
of Romania's rural architecture including peasant homes, barns,
wooden churches and Transylvanian houses from all regions of the
country to recreate a village setting. Traditionally dressed
peasant workers portray life during the 16th and 17th centuries
along with everyday tools and accessories. Traditional crafts are
also for sale around the site.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 7pm, closing at 5pm
Mondays
Phone:(0)21 222 9106 |
3. Stavropoleos Church
Strada Stavropoleos
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What is it? The tiny but remarkable Stavropoleos Church
was built in 1724, designed by a Wallachian prince renowned for his
religious architectural accomplishments, and is one of the oldest
churches in Bucharest. Built using a combination of Romanian and
Byzantine architecture it has a beautiful façade and a delicately
carved columned entrance. Surrounded by a peaceful garden, it is an
architectural jewel, with beautiful frescoes and religious
icons.
Hours of Operation: Daily 8.30am to 6pm
Phone: |
Bucharest
holidays - Top Events
1. Music MultiSonic Fest
From 2007-09-20
To 2007-09-22
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What is it? The MultiSonic Music Fest celebrates the
fusion of music styles from every different background but is most
noted for the twisting and melting of styles into jazz formats. The
festival is held throughout various venues in
Bucharest.
Where is it? Various |
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