Reflection series #10

 Uncategorized  2 Responses »
May 112010
 

Versiune în română

Ceauşescu’s regime left Bucharest with many dark legacies incluging his Civic Center project which I mentioned before on this blog. Many buildings intended to be part of this new image of Bucharest were unfinished when the communists were forced to give up power at the end of 1989. Some of the buildings were completed later, but the one in today’s reflection did not share their fate. This massive edifice which is supposed to be the new house of the National Library collection is still half way to being ready. Work on the building stopped in 1986, even though the building was supposed to be ready in 1989. Finally, more than 20 years later, work was restarted last year and these day we can see it progressing slowly.

Bank building on Lipscani

 Uncategorized  3 Responses »
May 092010
 

Versiune în română

Today’s photograph shows a bank building on Lipscani, facing the National Bank of Romania. The books on the architecture of Bucharest that I consulted list it as being built in 1910 – 1913, but sources I found on the web say the building was most probably built before 1900. The architect is unknown. The building served as the headquarters of the General Romanian Bank, which was a branch of Gesselschaft and Bleichröder Bank (thanks to Bucharestian for this information). It was restored during the communist regime in 1983-1984 and for a while served as a shopping mall. I remember buying shoes there once. Today it’s being used as a bank again.

The lake in Cişmigiu Park

 Uncategorized  1 Response »
May 072010
 

Versiune în română

It was brought to my attention that even though I posted numerous photos from Cişmigiu Park here on the blog, I’ve never shown you the nicest attraction in the park, more exactly the artificial lake. During the winter the lake is without water and part of it turns into an ice skating rink but from spring to autumn the lake is filled with water and one can hire boats to row on the lake.

Kretzulescu Palace

 Uncategorized  6 Responses »
May 052010
 

Versiune în română

The beautiful palace which is the subject of today’s photo was built in 1902-1906 as a residence for Elena Kretzulescu (aka Elena Creţulescu) by architect Petre Antonescu (1873-1965). It replaced the old family house, which was built around 1718. The palace’s facade is aligned with Ştirbei Vodă Street while the back looms over Cişmigiu Park from a small hill. Purchased in 1927 by city hall, the building was used for various purposes: from 1928-1929 it housed the office of the Prime Minister, followed by the Museum of Religious Art which was closed in 1946 when the communists came to power. Since 1972 the palace has been the seat of UNESCO European Centre for Higher Education. As with many other palaces in Bucharest the architectural style is Eclectic with touches of French Renaissance, which was very much in fashion in Bucharest at the end the 19th century.

The back of the palace seen from Cişmigiu park:

Tulips’ time

 Uncategorized  1 Response »
May 022010
 


Versiune în română

If I were to choose I would say that Bucharest looks at its best in the spring. It’s sunny and warm but not hot enough to feel like the asphalt is melting. But above all I like spring here because it’s all green again: green trees, green grass (still 🙂 ) and the city is full of flowers. I don’t usually photograph flowers but I couldn’t help taking a few shots of the tulips. The city is full of them and they look absolutely lovely.

 Older Entries  Newer Entries