Elisabeta Palace, located at 28C General Pavel D. Kiseleff Boulevard, is one of Bucharest’s most elegant and historically significant buildings. Constructed in the first half of the 20th century, the palace has always been closely connected to the destinies of Romania’s Royal Family and continues today to stand as a symbol of monarchical continuity and aristocratic refinement.

A royal residence with nearly a century of history

Built in the early 1930s according to the plans of architect Corneliu M. Marcu, Elisabeta Palace was completed and inaugurated in 1937. The project was commissioned by the Royal House of Romania as a residence for Princess Elisabeta of Greece and Denmark, the first daughter of King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie. 

Although intended for the princess, the palace’s fate took an unexpected turn. Princess Elisabeta spent little time in Bucharest, preferring to live at Banloc Castle in Timiș County — often described as the “Versailles of Banat.”

Thus, Elisabeta Palace soon became available for other royal purposes. Its true destiny would emerge during World War II, when it became the residence of King Michael I of Romania, one of the most remarkable monarchs in the country’s modern history.

The residence of King Michael during the war and his abdication

After the aerial bombardments of the summer of 1944 severely damaged the Royal Palace on Calea Victoriei, King Michael and his mother, Queen Mother Helen, moved into Elisabeta Palace. From here, the young monarch continued to lead the state during the turbulent years that marked the end of the war and the beginning of the Soviet occupation.

The palace bore witness to pivotal moments in Romania’s history. Within its walls were held key political meetings, and in the tense atmosphere following August 23, 1944, when Romania switched sides in the war, crucial decisions were made that shaped the nation’s future. 

It was also here, in December 1947, that King Michael spent his final days as Romania’s monarch before being forced to abdicate by the communist regime.

After that dramatic moment, the Royal Family was forced into exile, and Elisabeta Palace lost its status as a royal residence.

Nationalization and decline: from royal home to state protocol building

In 1948, following the establishment of the communist regime, Elisabeta Palace was nationalized, as were all royal properties in Romania. The building was converted into a state protocol house, hosting official delegations and guests of the government.

During the 1990s, after the fall of communism, the palace entered a confusing period. Without a clear purpose, it was used for a time as a hotel and restaurant, during which many of its interiors were heavily modified. Original decorative elements, furniture, and room layouts were altered, affecting the building’s authenticity and historical charm.

Nevertheless, the historical and symbolic value of Elisabeta Palace remained undeniable. In 2007, through a significant decision, the property was returned to King Michael I and declared his official residence.

Elisabeta Palace – the current residence of the Custodian of the Romanian Crown

After King Michael’s passing, Elisabeta Palace became the residence of Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, and her husband, Prince Radu of Romania. Under their care, the palace was carefully restored, regaining its interwar elegance and reopening its doors for cultural events, ceremonies, and official meetings.

Today, Elisabeta Palace is a vibrant place, a center of diplomacy and culture where numerous annual events take place: receptions, dinners, conferences, book launches, and charitable gatherings. It also hosts official ceremonies of the Royal House, such as the decoration of public figures and meetings with representatives from Romania’s academic and diplomatic circles.

The palace also houses the administrative offices of the Royal Household — the Press Office, the Protocol Office, and the Royal Secretariat — which ensure the institutional functioning of the Royal Family. Though the monarchy no longer has a political role, it continues to serve as a moral and symbolic presence in Romanian society.

Architecture and the interwar charm of Elisabeta Palace

Architect Corneliu M. Marcu designed the palace in a restrained modernist style, influenced by the Neo-Romanian and Art Deco trends typical of the interwar period. Unlike the grand Royal Palace on Calea Victoriei, Elisabeta Palace was conceived as a more private residence — elegant, refined, and dignified, perfectly suited to a member of the royal family.

The façade of the building is simple and balanced, defined by broad windows and clean lines that allow natural light to flood the interior. Surrounding the palace is a generous garden, part of the Royal Domain that extends into Herăstrău Park — an oasis of tranquility and privacy in the heart of Bucharest.

The interiors have been meticulously restored, preserving the atmosphere of the 1930s. Among the most renowned rooms are the Hall of Kings — used for official ceremonies, the White Salon, the setting for receptions and formal dinners, the Beam Hall — a rustic yet refined space, the Grand Dining Room, and the Queen Helen Salon. Each room possesses its own personality, reflecting the Royal Family’s taste, sobriety, and appreciation for art.

A center of representation and a moral landmark for modern Romania

In recent decades, Elisabeta Palace has once again become what it was meant to be: a symbol of dignity and continuity for the Romanian monarchy. During King Michael’s periodic returns to the country, the palace hosted many moving moments, such as his public addresses to young people, royal anniversaries, and state ceremonies.

After 2017, Her Majesty Margareta, the Custodian of the Crown, transformed Elisabeta Palace into a true center of representation. Here, ambassadors, international officials, and prominent cultural and academic figures are received regularly. The Royal Family also organizes events dedicated to promoting national values, culture, education, and philanthropy.

Through these activities, Elisabeta Palace remains a place of dialogue and hope — a meeting point between tradition and modernity, where the monarchical spirit contributes to strengthening Romania’s image abroad and nurturing respect for heritage and civic virtue.

Elisabeta Palace today – between tradition and the future

Today, Elisabeta Palace is much more than a royal residence; it is a bridge between past and present. Here, history leaves a palpable mark, yet the energy of a new generation carries forward the ideals of the Romanian Crown — respect, dignity, elegance, and devotion to the country.

With its refined architecture, serene gardens, and rooms steeped in memory, Elisabeta Palace remains one of Bucharest’s most beautiful and significant buildings. Set back from the city’s bustle and surrounded by greenery, this royal home endures as a sanctuary of authentic values — a place where history lives on in the present and where monarchy retains its charm and purpose.

Thus, Elisabeta Palace is not merely an elegant residence but a living part of Romania’s modern story. Built for a princess, inhabited by a king, and today home to the Custodian of the Crown, it stands as a symbol of the unbroken bond between Romania’s royal past and its aspirations for the future — a future defined by nobility, respect, and hope.

We also recommend: Famous boulevard names: Queen Elisabeth, the “mother of the wounded” Romanians, poet Carmen Sylva