World War I was a dramatic period for Romania, and the occupation of Bucharest by the Central Powers in December 1916 marked one of the harshest chapters in the modern history of the capital. The German army, led by Field Marshal August von Mackensen, entered the city after the Romanian authorities withdrew to Iași. For almost two years, the city endured shortages, plunder, and humiliation, while its people struggled to keep their dignity.

The German troops enter Bucharest

In December 1916, after fierce battles on the southern front, German, Bulgarian, and Ottoman troops marched into Bucharest. Mackensen, the commander of the occupation forces, refused to live in the Royal Palace and chose instead the residence of merchant Meitany. A military administration was quickly established, and Bucharest came under strict control for 707 days.

Life under German occupation

The regime was extremely harsh. Civilians faced massive requisitions: sugar, cereals, animals, bedding, and even iron railings were confiscated. Church bells were melted down to produce weapons, and mobility was heavily restricted. Hunger and deprivation shaped daily life.

Memoirs from the period also recall controversial measures, such as the control of prostitution or the extermination of stray dogs. Politicians like Constantin Argetoianu left detailed notes about both the tragic and ironic aspects of life under German rule.

Plunder and economic exploitation

One of the occupiers’ main goals was economic exploitation. The oil industry in Prahova, destroyed by retreating Romanian forces, was restored by German specialists with the help of prisoners of war. Within months, petroleum production was back online, supplying the German war effort.

Agriculture was also redirected to support the Central Powers. Regular shipments of food were sent to Germany, where the population was starving, while Romanian civilians suffered severe shortages.

The other occupying armies

While Germans ran the administration, their allies were remembered mostly for looting. Bulgarians notoriously robbed Capșa Confectionery, attempted to steal manuscripts from the Romanian Academy Library, and even tried to smuggle the relics of Saint Demetrius Basarabov out of the country. Ottoman troops celebrated by reclaiming cannons lost at Plevna in 1877, while Austro-Hungarian soldiers caused fewer incidents.

Population and elite reactions

Despite the hardships, Bucharest residents sought ways to adapt. Some conservative politicians, such as Alexandru Marghiloman and Petre P. Carp, admired the order imposed by Germans, even suggesting Romania might learn from their discipline. For most civilians, however, the occupation was synonymous with oppression and systemic plunder.

The end of occupation

The occupation ended in November 1918, with the collapse of the Central Powers and the victory of the Entente. The Treaty of Bucharest, signed in March 1918 but never ratified by King Ferdinand I, was annulled as the Romanian army triumphantly reentered the capital.

At the end of the occupation, Bucharest was devastated, but Romania emerged stronger, heading toward the Great Union of 1918. Liberation brought joy and a renewed sense of national purpose.

The years 1916–1918 were painful for Bucharest but also revealed resilience and hope. The German occupation exposed Romania’s vulnerabilities while highlighting the strength of a people determined to endure and preserve their identity.