Today, Pipera and Voluntari represent one of the most dynamic and prosperous areas in northern Bucharest. The district is synonymous with luxury, rapid development, and high real estate prices, being the preferred location for wealthy families, businesspeople, and major corporations establishing their headquarters and offices here. Yet, just over a century ago, this place was a simple rural settlement with only a few dozen houses, a church, and a threshing machine, while the surrounding fields were used to grow hot peppers. The transformation from a modest village into a top urban area tells a fascinating story about the social, economic, and urban evolution of Bucharest and its surroundings.

From an agrarian hamlet to the beginnings of a modern community

At the end of the 19th century, the current territory of Voluntari was home to a single village: Pipera, also known as Tătărani. According to official data from the Voluntari City Hall, in 1901 the village was part of the rural commune Băneasa-Herăstrău, covering an area of 767 hectares and having only 122 inhabitants. 

The settlement had developed on the estates of landowners Ion Boambă and Mircea Climescu, forming a small but stable community with traditional households and an agricultural economy based on manual labor in the fields.

Historical records mention the village of Pipera rather late, although archaeological evidence shows that the area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Around the 19th century, the agrarian reform initiated by Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza brought significant changes to the social structure of the region. 

The land redistribution of 1864 led to the formation of a small hamlet consisting of 20–25 households, representing the first nucleus of today’s community. The inhabitants were formerly serfs on nearby estates, and obtaining their own land marked the beginning of a more stable and prosperous life.

The birth of Voluntari – a symbol of heroism and gratitude

After the First World War, near the village of Pipera, a new settlement was founded: the village of Voluntari, initially known as “Cetatea Voluntărească” (“The Volunteer Citadel”). This name was not chosen by chance. It was meant to honor the sacrifice and bravery of those who voluntarily enlisted in the war to defend the country. 

According to historian Dan Falcan, the locality was founded in 1925, and the lands in the area were granted to war veterans, invalids, and widows who had suffered during the conflict. Thus, Voluntari was born as a symbol of gratitude toward the nation’s heroes.

Among the first inhabitants were Transylvanians who, between 1916 and 1918, had crossed the mountains to fight alongside the Romanian army in the struggle for liberation from Austro-Hungarian rule. 

These “Transylvanian volunteers” gave identity and spirit to the new community, shaping its early character of solidarity and dignity. In their memory, a monument dedicated to the Transylvanian volunteers who fought in World War I was erected in Voluntari. The monument was inaugurated in 2008, on the 90th anniversary of the Great Union of December 1, 1918.

The interwar expansion and development

The interwar period brought significant development to the area. Around the time of World War II, the locality expanded through the Olanița subdivision, located as a continuation of “Cetatea Voluntărească,” along the main road leading to Afumați. 

This expansion allowed an increase in population and economic activity. During the same period, Pipera continued to exist as a distinct village with a predominantly agricultural character, but increasingly linked to Bucharest, which was gradually expanding northward.

The year 1944 marked a dramatic moment for the region. The German bombardments on Bucharest also affected Voluntari, and the testimonies of local residents describe harrowing scenes. The City Hall building was used as a barracks by Russian troops, while residents sought refuge in cellars or in neighbors’ homes. Voluntari witnessed street battles that took place on the outskirts of the Capital during the turbulent change of alliances in the war.

From the communist period to the modern city

After the establishment of the communist regime, administrative reorganizations also affected the localities of Pipera and Voluntari. In 1950, they were included in the 1 Mai District of the republican city of Bucharest, and in 1968 they were merged into a single village named Voluntari. 

This merger was typical of the communist period, meant to streamline the administration of rural territories around major cities. Despite these changes, the locality maintained a distinct identity, being regarded as a peaceful area with strong traditions and a close-knit community.

In 1981, the commune became part of the Agricultural Sector of Ilfov, which was under the authority of the Capital. After the fall of communism, the territorial reorganization turned this sector into Ilfov County in 1997. 

Voluntari benefited greatly from its proximity to Bucharest and, starting in the 1990s, experienced rapid development. In 2004, the commune of Voluntari was officially declared a city, marking the definitive transition from rural to urban status.

Today, the city of Voluntari is divided into two distinct areas: the one surrounding National Road DN2 (Colentina–Afumați) and the Pipera district, separated by land crossed by the Bucharest–Ploiești highway. Pipera, in particular, has become a major attraction for real estate and corporate investments, turning into one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the metropolitan region.

Pipera, past and present – an urban metamorphosis

If in its early days Pipera was a simple lowland village with modest households and a church built by locals, today the district has become a symbol of prosperity. In the past two decades, the area has undergone a spectacular transformation. 

On the site of former agricultural lands now stand elegant villas, modern residential complexes, office centers, and the headquarters of international companies. The highway, improved infrastructure, and proximity to the Capital have made Pipera-Voluntari a strategic point for the economic development of the entire northern region.

However, this rapid growth did not come without challenges. Urban expansion often moved faster than the necessary infrastructure—roads, utilities, and public transportation had to catch up with the needs of a constantly growing population. 

Nevertheless, in recent years, local authorities have invested heavily in street modernization, school expansion, and public services, allowing the city of Voluntari to offer conditions comparable to those of major urban centers.

A continuously evolving community

Today, Pipera-Voluntari is no longer just a suburb of Bucharest but a city in its own right. The area hosts thousands of young families, international schools, private kindergartens, luxury restaurants, and well-maintained green spaces. The population has grown significantly, and social diversity has brought new energy to the community. From a place once known for hot pepper fields and a few dozen farmsteads, Pipera has become a cosmopolitan neighborhood, comparable to the elegant suburbs of major European capitals.

This remarkable transformation is the result of a long and complex history that combines rural roots with the innovative spirit of modern times. 

From “Cetatea Voluntărească”—a symbol of heroism and gratitude for those who fought for the country—to today’s Pipera, dominated by glass buildings and vibrant economic activity, the journey has been long but meaningful.

Between tradition and modernity

The story of Pipera-Voluntari is one of continuous transformation. From the small peasants granted land by Cuza and the World War I veterans who founded “Cetatea Voluntărească,” to the entrepreneurs, IT specialists, and expatriates who now populate the modern villas of Pipera, the area has managed to reinvent its identity without losing its roots. 

It is a story about adaptation, progress, and resilience. Today, walking along the elegant streets of Pipera or Voluntari, it is hard to imagine that just a hundred years ago there were only 20 houses, a church, and a threshing machine here. 

Beyond its modern and cosmopolitan image, Pipera-Voluntari still preserves the spirit of the people who built it from scratch, a blend of hard work, vision, and courage. It is, at its core, a lesson in how a small community can grow into a thriving city while keeping its soul alive through all transformations.

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