If we had to choose three words to describe Ioanid Park - elegance, luxury and good taste - they would be the most appropriate!

The Ion Voicu Park (formerly Ioanid), located in the center of Bucharest, is not one of the capital's largest parks, with an area of only 10,000 square meters, but it makes up for it with its elegance and charm. Its intimate atmosphere and carefully designed landscaping make Ioanid Park a cozy and welcoming place, ideal for an afternoon stroll or to spend time in the middle of nature, right in the heart of the capital.

Ioanid Park, called Ion Voicu Park since 2003, is located in sector 2 of the capital, in the central area, right near Roman Square. Nearby is another famous park, the Grădina Icoanei. Although small in comparison to other parks in Bucharest, it is one of the oldest and has a rich history. 

Ioanid Park. History 

Between 1839 and 1869, the area of Ioanid Park was home to the Breslea Garden, one of the many "gardens" in Bucharest, where people came to have fun and socialize. Nicolae Filimon, in his book Ciocoii Vechi și Noi (Old and New Ciocoii Ciocoii), talked quite a lot about this garden. Its existence was also mentioned by Constantin Bacalbașa in 'Bucureșcii de altădată', who said that this was 'the garden on the edge of the city where parties were held, where people went to feast, where lovers met and where the baritone played among the bushes'.

The website of the Calea Victoriei Foundation states that: ''The bookseller and publisher George Ioanid bought the land in 1856 from the great agă Pană Băbeanul for 2100 galbeni'.

George Ioanid was an important figure in the world of books in Bucharest and in the country. He owned one of the first publishing houses in Bucharest and in 1848 officially became the first book publisher in the country. Moreover, Ioanid founded the collection "Biblioteca Litteraria" and in 1868 he became the supplier of books for the court of Prince Carol I.

In 1870, the marshland owned by Ioanid was drained and he decided to develop it as a park, planting several trees on the marshland.

Unfortunately, shortly after he finished landscaping the park, the bookseller went bankrupt and lost the land and the house. Fortunately, his brother, Nicolae Ioanid, paid the mortgage for which he was indebted, so that he was able to live in the residence until his death in 1907.

Shortly after his death, the Bucharest City Hall bought the land and built on the land between Polonă Street, Dumbrava Roșie Street, Aurel Vlaicu Street and Dacia Boulevard a unique residential project in Romania, consisting of 25 luxury homes, known as the Ioanid Villa and Public Garden Block, or Ioanid subdivision.

The people interested in buying a villa in this area were the city's elite: doctors, lawyers, politicians or members of the old boyar families. The villas were realized by well-known architects such as Petre Antonescu, Ion Berindei, Grigore Cerchez, Ernest Doneaud, Ion Mincu, Paul Smărăndescu and were designed in the neo-Romanesque style, but also in the eclectic, academicist or romantic style, which were fashionable in Europe at that time.

However, the architect of the park itself is unknown, so the work, inspired by Romanesque architecture but also by Anglo-Chinese gardens, cannot be attributed to a specific person.

In 2003, work took place to redevelop and beautify Ioanid Park. The footpaths were resurfaced, the existing artificial lake was rehabilitated, while the artesian fountain was illuminated.

Although in the collective memory it is and will remain "Ioanid Park", as is historically correct, nevertheless, in 2004, the Nastase government changed the official name of the park to "Ion Voicu". This was because that year was the 80th anniversary of the birth of the master, and the park was located right near the house where the artist lived, created and died. A bust of the violinist Ion Voicu, a work by the sculptor Ion Irimescu, was also placed in the access area to the park from the Ioanid Entrance, and unveiled by President Ion Iliescu and Prime Minister Adrian Nastase. 

Ioanid Park today 

Today, Ioanid Park continues to be a corner of tranquillity and refinement in the hustle and bustle of Bucharest. Although it does not cover a large area, the park impresses with its elegant landscaping and intimate atmosphere. Its paved alleyways, artesian fountains and strategically placed benches create a picturesque backdrop, perfect for relaxing strolls.

The varied greenery, with old trees and colorful flowers, adds to the charm of this charming green space. Ioanid Park remains a favorite spot for Bucharest's residents, frequented by families, couples and people looking for a moment of respite in the middle of nature, right in the center of the capital.

One of the events that has drawn a lot of tourists to Ioanid Park in recent years is the Lights On festival. If in 2021 we were mesmerized by Luke Jerram's celebrated Gaia - a detailed and spectacular reproduction of planet Earth based on NASA images, in 2022 the Full Moon - Museum of the Moon, the creation of the same artist.

Ioanid Park can be reached by metro, M1 or M2, and get off at Roman Square, or by various trolleybuses and buses - Spanish Square station or Liceul Ec. "Virgil Madgearu.