Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Muzeul National de Istorie a Romaniei;
Click here
;
021-315 8207;
www.mnir.ro
;
Calea Victoriei 12; adult/student 8/2 lei; 10am-6pm Wed-Sun)
This is an excellent col-
lection of maps, documents and artefacts on Romanian national history. It's particularly
strong on the country's Roman ties, including a replica of the 2nd-century Trajan's
Column. Our favourite
piece
, though, is not inside the museum at all, but rather on the
steps outside: a controversial Statue of Emperor Trajan standing naked holding a Dacian
wolf.
The statue was added in 2012 and has quickly become the most ridiculed (and photo-
graphed) monument in Bucharest. We wonder why?
PIAŢA REVOLUŢIEI
To the north of Piaţa Universităţii, along Calea Victoriei, stands Piaţa Revoluţiei, a part of
the city indelibly marked by the events surrounding the overthrow of the Ceauşescu re-
gime in 1989. Ceauşescu's infamous final speech was given here, from the balcony of the
former
Central Committee of the Communist Party building
Offline map
Google map
(
www.mai.gov.ro
;
Piaţa Revolutiei 1; closed to the public)
, on 21 December 1989.
Amid cries of 'Down with Ceauşescu!' he escaped (briefly) by helicopter from the roof.
Meanwhile, the crowds were riddled with bullets, and many died. The building now
houses the Interior Ministry.
On an island in front of the building on Calea Victoriei stands the
Rebirth Memorial
Offline map
Google map
(Memorialul Renaşterii;
Click here
; Calea Victoriei)
- a white ob-
elisk piercing a basketlike crown (a doughnut on a stick?). It was ridiculed when it was
first erected in 2005, but the public has now grown accustomed to it, and it's one of the
most photographed objects in Bucharest.
National Art Museum
(Muzeul Naţional de Artă;
Click here
;
021-313 3030;
www.mnar.arts.ro
;
Calea Vict-
oriei 49-53; admission 15 lei; 11am-7pm Wed-Sun)
Housed in the 19th-century Royal
Palace, this massive, multipart museum - all signed in English - has three collections, in-
cluding one on ancient and medieval Romanian art, modern Romanian painting and
European art. The ancient collection is strong on icons and religious art, while the Ro-
manian painting section has an excellent survey of 19th- century masters.
Save time for the Gallery of European Art, a 12,000-piece collection laid out by nation-
ality. The Royal Palace itself is a treat. Built from 1812 to 1815 by Prince Dinicu Golescu,
the palace became the official royal residence in 1834 during the reign of Prince Alexan-
MUSEUM
