Charles de Gaulle Square, one of the busiest and most well-known intersections in northern Bucharest, has a unique history, marked by successive name changes dictated by the political context of each era. The place that today connects the Primăverii neighborhood, Aviatorilor Boulevard, and Herăstrău Park was, at the beginning of the 19th century, known as Jianu Square. The name came from Iancu Jianu, one of Tudor Vladimirescu’s pandurs, a symbol of the resistance movements of 1821.

From Jianu Square to Hitler Square

During World War II, the area underwent a dramatic transformation. With the rise to power of Marshal Ion Antonescu in 1940, the square was renamed Adolf Hitler Square. The decision reflected Romania’s alignment with Nazi Germany and the close ties between the country’s leadership and the Legionary Movement. However, this name lasted only until 1944. After August 23, when Romania switched alliances and moved closer to the Allied forces, the place returned to its original name, Jianu Square.

From Stalin’s Cult to Aviatorilor Square

The post-war political changes brought yet another transformation for this emblematic space. After King Michael I’s abdication in December 1947 and the proclamation of the People’s Republic of Romania, the country fell under the influence of the Soviet Union. In this context, Jianu Square was renamed Generalissimo I. V. Stalin Square.

Moreover, authorities decided to erect a monumental statue of the Soviet leader at the main entrance to Herăstrău Park. Built in 1951, Stalin’s statue dominated the entire area, becoming a visible landmark for all those who passed through the northern part of the capital.

The monument’s fate changed radically in 1962, when Romanian authorities, already distancing themselves from Moscow, decided to demolish it. The operation took place in a single summer night, with the help of four tanks and twelve bulldozers. By then, Stalin’s personality cult had been widely criticized internationally, and the Bucharest regime sought to mark its break from Soviet symbols. After this action, the square was renamed Aviatorilor Square, inspired by the nearby Heroes of the Air Monument.

Charles de Gaulle, a Symbol of Franco-Romanian Friendship

After the 1989 Revolution, Romanian authorities chose to give the square a new identity, one that reflected the country’s diplomatic openness. The chosen name was Charles de Gaulle, the French general and president, a key figure of the French Resistance during the Nazi occupation. The decision highlighted the cultural and political ties between Romania and France, which became increasingly solid throughout the 1990s.

At the same time, a roundabout was introduced to better manage the heavy traffic in the area. Later, in 1997, the "Cross of the Century," a monumental work known to locals as the “coin” or the “button,” was placed at the center of the roundabout. This modernist sculpture sparked debates at the time of its inauguration but has since become a recognizable landmark of the square.

Charles de Gaulle Square Between History and Present

Today, Charles de Gaulle Square remains a place of strong symbolic significance, reflecting in its own way Romania’s political evolution over the past century. From local heroes and foreign influences to consolidated diplomatic friendships, the successive name changes tell the story of a city that has gone through contrasting political regimes and major transformations.

Currently, the square is one of the most important intersections in the capital, connecting central boulevards with residential neighborhoods and with one of the city’s largest green spaces, Herăstrău Park. Every day, thousands of cars pass through the roundabout, though many drivers remain unaware of the complex history behind this place.

The successive names – Jianu Square, Hitler Square, Stalin Square, Aviatorilor Square, and finally Charles de Gaulle Square – faithfully reflect how politics and international alliances have shaped the urban landscape of Bucharest. The monuments built and demolished, just like the statues imposed by different regimes, show how quickly public spaces can be reshaped depending on the interests of the time.

Thus, Charles de Gaulle Square is not only a hub of intense traffic but also a symbolic landmark of recent history, where the past and present of Bucharest meet every single day.