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The Palace of Parliament: the greatest symbol of power, from its beginnings to the icon of Bucharest

The Palace of Parliament: the greatest symbol of power, from its beginnings to the icon of Bucharest

By Bucharest Team

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Bucharest - the city steeped in history, watched over by the stone colossus - the Parliament Palace.

Bucharest abounds in tourist attractions, witnesses to history, more or less well known. But if we are to talk about the Palace of Parliament - there is not a Romanian who does not know it, nor a foreigner who has walked through the streets of Bucharest and has not been impressed by its grandeur. A stronghold of democracy, its walls are a testament to the past and a guarantee of the future. 

Centrally located in the middle of the cityscape, the Parliament Palace seems to assume the role of protector of a nation's destiny, its stones echoing the echoes of heated debates and decisions that have written history.

The Palace of Parliament - perhaps the most famous tourist attraction in Bucharest 

The Palace of Parliament in Bucharest is both a fascinating and controversial tourist destination, managing to attract visitors from all over the world, who come specifically to marvel at its grandeur. With its impressive architecture and rich history, it is one of the largest administrative buildings in the world and a symbol of the city and the country.

According to the World Record Academy, the Palace of Parliament is the third largest civilian administrative building in the world, the most expensive administrative building in the world and the heaviest building in the world. That's why, if you visit the Palace of Parliament, you simply feel overwhelmed by its magnitude. With some 1,100 rooms and over 365,000 square meters of floor space - the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon - it will give you an impressive experience. You can explore the opulent halls, with elegant décor and stately furnishings, reflecting Romania's richness and cultural influence.

Guided tours will take you through the various conference rooms, meeting rooms and reception halls giving you a unique insight into the political and administrative life of the country. What's more, from the upper floors you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. 

Today, the Parliament Palace hosts various international events, conferences and meetings. The Great Hall of the General Assembly is used for official ceremonies, concerts and other major events. You should know, however, that despite the fact that you'll find reception halls, museums and government offices here, almost three-quarters of the building is still empty. 

The Palace of Parliament - Controversial building 

Although it is an impressive building that undoubtedly adds great value to Bucharest, the Parliament Palace is a controversial building in many ways.

One of the biggest criticisms of the building is associated with the way the project was initiated and finalized during the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu (1984-1997), which involved the demolition of historic neighborhoods of Bucharest and the relocation of tens of thousands of people without adequate compensation. Also, the massive costs and resources involved in constructing such a large building at a time when the country's economy was suffering sparked controversy.

The construction of the palace involved an impressive amount of materials - some 700,000 tons of marble, 3,500 tons of crystal and 900,000 cubic meters of wood. Many of these materials were brought in from all over the country, which caused massive cost increases, amplifying critics' voices. 

Moreover, in addition to the economic and social aspects, there are also criticisms about the aesthetics and proportions of the building. Many believe its huge size and ostentatious style do not fit in with the historic and urban character of Bucharest. ArchDaily, the most visited architecture website in the world, ranked the Parliament Palace as the world's second most expensive, unsuccessful and shameful architectural project ever, because although it cost a huge amount, 70% of it is unused, much of it not structured for the needs of individuals but for the megalomaniac desires of Ceausescu, the cult of personality having left its mark on the building.

However, most people see the Parliament Palace as an impressive architectural work and a major tourist attraction - a fact proven by the thousands of tourists who pass through the palace every year.

The Palace of Parliament - How to get there

Location: Bucharest, 2-4, Izvor Street

Public transportation:

Bus stops: Calea 13 Septembrie: lines 136, N121

Izvor Street: lines 385, 136

Tram Stops: Regina Maria Square: lines 23, 32

Subway Stations : Izvor: lines M1, M3

Access from North Station: Bus 123 to Pod Izvor station (6 stops, 29 min.)

By subway, M1 Dristor 2 -Pantelimon, direction Pantelion to Izvor station (7 stops, 25 min.). Cross Izvor Park and you will reach the visitors' entrance of the Parliament Palace (10 min.)

From Henri Coandă Airport (Otopeni): Express Line 780 to Gara de Nord.

This line runs both during the day and at night, with buses every 40 minutes. Bus stops are located in front of the Arrivals Terminal and in front of the Departures Terminal.

Tickets and reservations:

Fares:

Standard Tour - 35 LEI/person

Special fares are available for students, pupils and children. See the full list here.

Reservations for 1-9 persons can only be made by phone, 24 hours before the visit, between 09:00-16:00, at the following numbers: +40 733 558 102 or +40 733 558 103.

Reservations for groups of more than 10 people can be made at the following e-mail address: cic.vizite@cdep.ro 


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