Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ebrates the Palace of Parliament (a year before the revolution). In back is a hangar with
early aviator Aurel Vlaicu's historic 1911 plane.
MUSEUM
Cotroceni Palace
( 021-317 3107; www.muzeulcotroceni.ro ; B-dul Geniului 1; adult/student incl guided
tour 27/21 lei; 9.30am-4.30pm Tue-Sun by appointment only) Cotroceni Palace dates
from the late 19th century and is the official residence of the Romanian president. Many
rooms are open to visitors, but call in advance to ensure a spot in the tour. The palace has
an illustrious place in Romanian history, most notably as the home of Queen Marie, the
English wife of Ferdinand I. Bring your passport.
'PAUPERS' GRAVES'
About 3km west of the Palace of Parliament, Ghencea Civil Cemetery (Cimitirul Civil Ghencea; Calea 13
Septembrie; 8am-8pm) has two infamous inhabitants: Nicolae Ceauşescu and his wife, Elena. The pair were
secretly buried here - and notably not at Bellu Cemetery, the city's most reputable resting place - on 30 December
1989, in hastily prepared graves. Both lie before the small chapel that faces the entry.
Nicolae lies in row I-35, to the left of the path. No tomb adorns his earth grave. There is only a simple stone in-
scription with name and dates of birth and death (26 January 1918 to 25 December 1989).
Elena is buried in a separate location, in row H-25, directly across the cemetery to the right (just behind a mod-
ern marble tomb). The markings are even simpler and there's no sign of flowers or candles. The decision to keep
the couple apart in death was intentional. The body of their playboy son, Nicu, who died from cirrhosis of the liv-
er in 1996, lies nearby.
SOUTHERN BUCHAREST
The area south of Piaţa Unirii is mostly devoid of traditional tourist sights but has some
nice parks and important cemeteries.
Carol I Park
( 24hr) About 1km southwest of Piaţa Unirii, Carol I Park was inaugurated in 1906.
The main sights here are an eternal flame burning for an unknown soldier and a 20m
black-granite mausoleum. The mausoleum, topped with five arches made of red Swedish
granite, was put up in memory of the 'Heroes for the Struggle for the People's and the
Homeland's Liberty for Socialism'. Enter the park from the north at Piaţa Libertăţii or
from the south along Calea Şerban Vodă.
PARK
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