Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Biserica Sfântul Gheorghe-Nou;
Click here
;
cnr Str Lipscani & B-dul Brâtianu;
8am-6pm)
The New St George's Church dates from 1699 and is significant primarily as
the burial place of Wallachian prince Constantin Brâncoveanu (r 1688-1714). Brâncov-
eanu was captured by the Turks in 1714 after refusing to take part in the Russo-Turkish
War (1711). He and his four sons were taken to Istanbul and beheaded.
BUCHAREST IN...
One Day
Bucharest is a sprawling city, so if you've only got one day, get an early start and make your way over to the
Palace of Parliament
for a guided tour. Afterwards, stroll along
Calea Victoriei
and stop in at one of the big mu-
seums, such as the
National Art Museum
, and admire the
Rebirth Memorial
to the 1989 revolution. Afterwards
sit for a beer at
Cişmigiu Garden
and spend the evening in the
Old Town (Lipscani)
.
Three Days
After day one, spend the second day in the leafy northern part of the capital, visiting
Herăstrău Park
and allow-
ing time to see the open-air
National Village Museum
on its western bank. Walk along pretty Şos Kiseleff, stop-
ping to admire the
Triumphal Arch
and possibly taking in another museum, the
Museum of the Romanian
Peasant
. For your last day, consider a day trip to
Lake Snagov
to visit Dracula's, er, Vlad Ţepeş', final resting
place.
OLD TOWN (LIPSCANI)
South of Piaţa Universităţii is a fascinating area that's both the heart of the city's historic
core and the centrepiece of current efforts to transform Bucharest into a livable urban
centre and tourist attraction. The Old Town, sometimes referred to as 'Lipscani' after one
of the area's main streets, is home to Bucharest's Old Princely Court, dating back to the
15th century, when the city competed with former royal capitals, such as Curtea de Argeş
and Târgovişte, to lead the Wallachian principality. Bucharest eventually won out, though
Veche;
Click here
;
Str Franceză 21-23; 10am-5pm)
was allowed to fall into disrepair
over the centuries. During our visit the court was undergoing a thorough renovation and
temporarily closed to visitors. Even so, you could still peek through the fence to see a
menacing statue of Vlad Ţepeş.
The area around the court thrived from roughly the 16th to the 19th centuries as a mer-
chant quarter for artisans and traders, whose occupations are still reflected in street names
such as Str Covaci (street of the blacksmiths) and Str Şelari (street for saddle-makers).
