Why are churches in Bucharest "hidden"?
by josephescu
It’s easy to observe that many of the churches in Bucharest are hidden either behind or between larger modern buildings. But this is not because people lost faith or they did not care any longer about the church in their neighbourhood.
Communists did not believe in anything other than themselves, but this was not enough. Ceausescu, the last of the communist rulers of Romania, hated to see churches while going by car through Bucharest. Besides, we wanted both to systematise the city after his own criteria and to leave his mark through the history of the city.
So in the mid ‘80s, he ordered many churches to be demolished to make way for his grandiose plans. Some architects tried to protect monument churches and monasteries in the city centre as much as they could, and in some cases they succeeded. Therefore, some churches were literally moved from their initial location by even 500m, while others have been “hidden from sight”, by raising tall blocks either in front of them, or on each of their sides.
Unfortunately, the propensity of architects to build large buildings in the close vicinity of old churches continues nowadays. There’s an 18 story office building under construction within 10m from the Armenian Church, while another 22 story building seems to be raised near the catholic cathedral.
Christmas lights in Piaţa Unirii
by iwys
Bucharest's Christmas lights are switched on on December 1st, Romania's National Day and are switched off on January 6th. The opening ceremony in Piaţa Unirii is accompanied by a firework display. The centrepiece of the illuminations is a giant artificial tree, said to be the tallest in Europe. The tree is 76 metres high, as high as a 21-storey skyscraper, 26 metres in diameter, weighs 290 tons and is covered with an incredible 2.4 million lights. In 2007, 25 lorries were needed to transport the tree and decorations, which took two months and the 300 people to erect.
Gheorghe Lazar High School
by draguza
The Gheorghe Lazãr High School is a high school located in central Bucharest, Romania, on the corner of the Ciºmigiu Gardens. It is one of the most prestigious secondary education institutions in Romania.
My mom went there, and in fact today she is one of the best "chemical engeneers in Europe!", hehehe
Drink beer.
by Dizzyhead about Festival 39.
This was a place in French style, what now a French style is. But when I was here and drank beer I sat all the time outside and it was really nice. Good service and good food. I went inside to check out the place and it was really nice inside. If I lived in Bucharest I would go here many times just to sit and have a beer or a coffee and just relax and read the newspaper. This place touched my heart! I reall liked this place!
Transportation to/ from Otopeni Airport
by Delia_Madalina
I've worked for one year on the Otopeni Airport and the only conclusion I came up with is: don't fall for the taxis trap.
First thing: once you'll pass the check, you will be greeted by all types of individuals offering you a taxi. They are not the aiport's official drivers and they will over-charge you. And by this I mean OVER.
Secondly: the official taxis are Fly Taxi but the prices are generally quite high.
Best option: Go to the ground floor and buy a special bus ticket (for 2 uses) for the 783 line which is less than 2 Euros . The bus will stop exactly there and it will take you to the center of Bucharest: Piata Victoriei, Piata Unirii.
The timetable: from 5:15 A.M to 10:30 P.M.
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Macca-Vilacrosse Covered Passage
The Parliament Palace, Bucharest
Minister
Anyone in for a ride? (at the National Theatre)
