There isn't a people from Bucharest, whether a fan of outdoor events or not, who hasn't heard of the Arenele Romane and hasn't stepped, at least once, into the grandiose amphitheater located in Carol Park. Although recognized today as the host of some of the most important cultural events, few people know that the Roman Arenas were built in just a few months, a century ago. What is their story? Read on:

More than a century ago, in 1906, on the 40th anniversary of the arrival in Romania of King Carol I and 25 years of Royalty, Take Ionescu, then Minister of Lands and Agriculture, insisted on organizing a General Romanian Exhibition in a special space. Here Romanians from all parts of the country, some under Habsburg occupation, others under Russian occupation, were to be invited.

The site chosen for this great event was Filaretului Hill, and in just a few months architect Leonida Negrescu and engineer Elie Radu, together with French architect Edouard Redont, built a real city here, giving birth to Carol Park.

The Roman Arenas were an important project in the development and modernization plan of the area, being part of a complex of buildings constructed for the much desired 'Romanian General Exhibition'. On November 5, 1906, at the Arenele Romane, King Carol I and Queen Elisabeta presented prizes to some of the participants of the National Exhibition.

At that time, Arenele Romane, which had a seating capacity of 5,000, was used for sports competitions, the part in front of the current stage being covered with grass. After the communists came to power, however, the Arenas went through a period of reconstruction and modernization: the stage was raised and covered, the amphitheatre was closed, the lawn was replaced by concrete and the first administrative offices were also built.

At the same time, following a decision taken in 1948 by the communists who no longer wanted any association with the Romanian royalty, the Arenele Romane became the Arenele Libertății and the Carol Park became the Libertății Park. From sports competitions, the Arenas moved on to organizing folklore concerts, theatre performances and film screenings.

In 1981 further renovations were carried out, and the Arenas were reduced to a capacity of 3500 seats.

After the fall of communism, the Arenas were forgotten. At the end of the 1990s, a stocking factory, a medicine store and a tailor's shop were operating in the current premises. In other words, in the administrative offices and today's backstage, where the great Romanian and international artists get ready, they used to crochet and dye stockings that were then hung to dry on wires where mosh pits are now made.

Things changed, however, in 2001, when Mihai Cernea - one of Romania's best-known drummers, originally a construction engineer - turned his attention to the Arenele Romane, capitalizing on its potential. As a member of the board of CREDIDAM (Romanian Center for the Administration of Performing Artists' Rights), a non-profit association with the objective of collecting and distributing the money due to artists, as well as the manager of the production company Sfinx Experience, Mihai won the right to use the Arenele Romane for 25 years. He began to consolidate and beautify them, and gradually the Arenas returned to their original role of hosting public, cultural events. 

Among the international celebrities who performed on the Arenele Romane stage we can find Billy Idol, Tori Amos, Schiller, Tom Odell, Godsmack, Roxette, Sean Paul, Jessie Ware, Nouvelle Vague, Placebo, Slash, Massive Attack, Evanescence, as well as national artists such as Delia, Carla's Dreams, Subcarpati, Guess Who, BUG Mafia, Cargo, The Motans, Grasu XXL or Smiley.

For those who want to visit Arenele Romane outside the event, we recommend a stroll in Carol Park. Here you will find tall trees, reminders of bygone times, which make Carol Park one of the most beautiful parks in Bucharest, a true oasis of tranquility and greenery.