Cismigiu Park, Bucharest

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Cismigiu Park is a lovely park - the oldest public park in Bucharest - which was very close to our hotel for the first night. We walked there after walking the main street to see the Romanian Athenaeum, the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum of Art of Romania), the Athénée Palace Hotel (famous for being a den of espionage prior to WWII - each room was bugged!), the University of Bucharest Library (with the equestrian statue of King Carol I), and the Memorial of Rebirth. We bought sandwiches at a deli just outside of the park and ate them on a park bench under a tree - very peaceful and lovely. There is a small island in a lagoon where there were dozens of ducks and swans - including two beautiful black swans.

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I've only visited Parcul Cişmigiu during the winter but I guess the place must be very beautiful during summer time when gardens bloom etc,.17 hectares, the largest park in city's central area. I'd say it's also a very safe place since local people bring their kids to play here. Lots of statues which relate to Romanian history. The Rondul Român ("Romanian Round") or Rotonda Scriitorilor ("Writers' Rotunda") is a circular alley which has stone busts of twelve important Romanian writers: Mihai Eminescu, Alexandru Odobescu, Titu Maiorescu, Ion Luca Caragiale, George Coşbuc, Ştefan Octavian Iosif, Ion Creangă, Alexandru Vlahuţă, Duiliu Zamfirescu, Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu, Nicolae Bălcescu and Vasile Alecsandri.
Monumentul Eroilor Francezi ("The Monument of French Heroes") commemorates French soldiers who died fighting during the World War I Romanian Campaign. Izvorul Sissi Stefanidi, created by Ioan C. Dimitriu Bârlad (1890–1964), depicts a mother, aggrieved by the death of her daughter, pouring water from a pitcher.
Other statues located in Cişmigiu are the one of journalist Gheorghe Panu sculpted by Gheorghe Horvath and of writer and women's rights activist Maica Smara (1854–1944), sculpted by Mihai Onofrei.

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It's smaller than Herastrau park, but is a lovely place for a walk, to relax a little. A lot of restaurants, and very beautiful during winter time.
You also can take a look at Crețulescu Palace, next to Cișmigiu park.

On the actual placement of the Cismigiu Park there was only a lake. In 1847, under the supervision of the Austrian landscape artist Carl F.W.Meyer the works of arranging the park began. The official inauguration took place in 1854. The park still impresses today with the flora and some protected tree species.

Cismigiu is never empty, in the summer it is a place for walking, see the Lovers' Alley where young lovers still whisper their love on the benches or take a ride on the lake (rent a boat). Also, you can find in Cismigiu a resting place for elderly people, grandmothers and grandfathers with their grandsons and granddaughters.

In winter, the lake becomes a natural ice skating ring.

Right next to the park is one of the best highschools in Bucharest - Gheorghe Lazar College.

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This is a pretty park in the centre of Bucharest. The park centres around a large lake. Even on the hottest day there are shady places to rest here. Watch the old boys playing chess or other board games; hire a boat and go for a row; have a drink or meal in one of the park's restaurants or cafes; enjoy the flowers; take a look at the park's many statues or just enjoy a leisurely stroll.

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We were looking for a famous restaurant when we passed by this park. Could not help but visit it even for a few minutes. It was heavenly. Though there were some haggard-looking men, they did not pay attention to us.

There were locals who seemed to like the park very much. We did like it too!

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In the very center of the city there is a place where one can take a break from Bucharest for a few hours. Cismigiu is located close to University Square, on Queen Elizabeth Boulevard, across the street from Bucharest's City Hall. It is Bucharest's oldest park and a great place to stroll and enjoy the peace that one can feel finding a green oasis in the middle of a hectic city. Among the lawns and trees and the winding alleys you’ll find a lake with rowboat rentals, a playground for children, a chess area where old people play tournaments, many statues and plenty of park benches. This is also one of the best spots in the city for people watching, all ages being well represented: children playing, couples strolling hand in hand or kissing on the benches, old people snoozing or chatting. Sometimes there are Sunday concerts at the gazebo.

Cismigiu was first designed and laid out in 1843 by the German landscape architect Carl Meyer, on the commision of Prince Gheorghe Bibescu. The official opening took place in 1847 but the park continued to be developed by the architect until 1870. More than 30,000 trees and plants were brought in from the Romanian mountains to be planted on the 17 hectares park.

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Cismigiu park might be the loveliest park I've come across in eastern Europe. It has a romantic atmosphere, full of old trees and lovely ponds. The loads of benches look very charming, I'd love to read a book sitting in the shade during a warm spring day. It's relatively small compared to Herastrau, but it's central and has a bit of a fairy-tale feel. Don't miss out on the Rondul Roman, with busts of twelve important Romanian writers. If you like to play chess, you can do so on one of the stone chess tables.

This is a very nice park with water in the middle of the park and also a place where you can eat and drink. It was really romantic to visit this place, and if you are in love, I would suggest you to go here. Even if you arent in love, it is a perfect relaxing point in such a big and crowded city as Bucharest.

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The guide on the internet says says: "Set amid green lush lawns and winding paths, the park offers a lake with rowboat rentals, a beer garden, a playground for children, a chess area for amateurs and plenty of park benches for relaxing and people-watching."

First thing I thought when I came to the lake was: "Where the hell is the water?" It wasn't frozen. Simply, it was gone. A lake without water.