Standing majestically on Regina Elisabeta Boulevard in Bucharest, the Palace of the National Archives of Romania is one of the city’s monumental public buildings. After extensive consolidation and restoration, it now rivals its neighbor, the Bucharest City Hall Palace, in both elegance and grandeur. Both edifices are emblematic of the Neo-Romanian monumental style and epitomize the idea of public buildings dedicated to civic life and history. For generations, the Palace has silently witnessed the evolution of Bucharest, while safeguarding the nation’s most valuable historical documents.

From printing to archival heritage

Until the 1950s, the building housed the State Printing House and the Official Gazette, while the National Archives’ headquarters were located for 120 years at Mihai Vodă Monastery, an architectural ensemble destroyed by the Ceaușescu regime in the 1980s. 

The monastery, founded by Mihai Vodă, was relocated, and the original Archives building was demolished. The construction of the palace on Regina Elisabeta Boulevard took place between 1885 and 1887, designed by architect Nicolae Cerkez, and later, in 1931, architect Statie Ciortan added an additional floor.

Today, the palace is being highlighted for public tours on the ground floor and partially on the first floor, allowing visitors to admire its stunning architectural details, such as the grand marble staircase, wrought iron and wooden railings, and other elegant features that reflect the building’s monumental character. 

The palace will not only showcase its architecture but will also host thematic exhibitions of archival documents, conferences, cultural events, student workshops, and school visits, making it a living space for the promotion of history and knowledge.

A treasure trove of Romanian memory

The National Archives of Romania safeguard invaluable documents spanning centuries, reflecting the country’s identity. These include private archives created by officials of various ranks, official and private acts, diplomatic and consular papers, memoirs, manuscripts, proclamations, invitations, posters, plans, sketches, maps, cinematic films, seals, royal testaments, transcripts of the Council of Ministers under Ion Antonescu’s government, and transcripts from the Political Bureau of the Romanian Workers’ Party. The Archives also hold historic photographs, both domestic and created abroad by Romanian authors.

The formal establishment of the State Archives dates back to the Organic Regulations of Wallachia and Moldova, which created distinct institutions under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Bucharest, 1831) and the Ministry of Justice (Iași, 1832). Over time, the Archives accumulated manuscripts and documents reflecting the administrative, cultural, and political evolution of Romania.

Among its most remarkable holdings are the manuscript copy of “Divanul sau gâlceava înțeleptului cu lumea”, written by Moldavian ruler Dimitrie Cantemir and published on 30 August 1698, the birth certificate of the celebrated singer Maria Tănase, and one of the two copies of the inauguration act of the Cernavodă Bridge, the other copy being embedded in the bridge’s foundation. 

Neacșu’s Letter from Câmpulung, the oldest document written in Romanian using Cyrillic script, dating back 500 years, is part of the National Archives’ collection in Brașov.

The architectural and urban context

The palace was the first building erected along the section of Regina Elisabeta Boulevard opposite Cișmigiu Gardens, preceding other constructions such as the Gheorghe Lazăr High School, built in 1889. 

Initially, a site near the printing house was reserved for the construction of a legislature building, intended to expedite the printing of legal documents. Eventually, this location became the Ministry of Public Works (today’s City Hall of Bucharest).

In 1931, architect Statie Ciortan significantly reshaped the palace, adding a floor, reinforcing the structure, and modifying the façade. For many Bucharesters, the building is more closely associated with Ciortan than with Cerkez. 

Ciortan (1876–1940), a student of Ion Mincu and Ermil Pangrati at the School of Architecture in Bucharest, was a leading proponent of the Neo-Romanian style. He served as president of the Society of Architects of Romania (1929–1932) and dean of the Architects’ Corps (1932–1940).

As chief architect and director of the Technical Department of the Ministry of Finance, Ciortan designed state financial administration offices, apartments for ministry employees, private homes, and urban planning projects. 

He advocated the concept of garden cities and left an indelible mark on Bucharest’s urban landscape. Among his notable works are the Customs Palace, the Official Gazette and State Printing House (now the National Archives), the House of Credit, and the Stamp Factory building.

Regina Elisabeta Boulevard was developed with several public buildings of distinct architectural programs. Chronologically, these include the State Printing House (1885–1887; refurbished 1929–1931 by Ciortan), the Civil Hospitals Administration (1882–1887), Gheorghe Lazăr High School (1889, architect Filip Montoreanu), the Ministry of Public Works (1906, today City Hall, architect Petre Antonescu), the Law Faculty (1933–1935), and the House of the Teaching Staff (1936, architect Constantin Iotzu).

Post-war transformations and archival consolidation

Following the establishment of the Soviet-style People’s Democracy, the Official Gazette was abolished and replaced by the Official Bulletin, reduced to a small editorial office under the General Directorate of Press and Printing, directly subordinated to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. 

Printing operations continued in the building, now renamed “6 Martie Boulevard,” until the 1950s. With the centralization of printing at Casa Scânteii (today Casa Presei), activity in the building declined, and by December 1959, it was allocated to the General Directorate of State Archives.

Over the following decades, the palace was adapted for the storage of archival documents. In 2017, a technical inspection revealed structural deterioration caused by seismic activity and excessive humidity from the nearby Dâmbovița River. 

Roof degradation, broken gutters, and insufficient maintenance further aggravated the damage, while failing sanitary installations caused water leakage that affected valuable architectural elements.

Restoration, modernization, and public accessibility

The restoration project aimed to increase seismic protection, clean and repair the building, restore façades and interiors, modernize installations, and develop museum spaces. 

The ground floor, previously reading rooms, now hosts exhibitions and cultural events, such as conferences, workshops for students, visits, and book launches. The objective is to highlight the value of archival documents of various formats and materials from the institution’s collections.

The National Archival Fund, according to Romanian law, encompasses all official and private documents of historical value, protected by the state. These include textual, photographic, audio-visual, and digital records, originating from public institutions, private organizations, economic, social, cultural, military, and religious entities, as well as from individuals. 

Document value is assessed based on criteria such as age, rarity, and format. The archives contain collections organized by type, origin, and historical importance, including scrolls, sealed documents, and photographic collections.

For Wallachia, the oldest document is a hrisov issued by Vladislav-Vlaicu (1364–1374), confirming several villages to Vodița Monastery, while for Moldova, it is the uricul of Roman Mușat (30 March 1392). Documents from medieval Romanian chanceries, up to 1600, have been digitized and are accessible on arhivamedievala.ro.

From monastery to palace: a tale of survival

The old building housing the State Archives at Mihai Vodă Monastery was demolished in the 1980s. The monastery, one of Bucharest’s oldest constructions, had been damaged in the 1977 earthquake. 

Despite initial preservation plans, it was demolished in 1984 to make way for the construction of the House of the People. The church, built in 1594 by Michael the Brave, was relocated and survives today on Sapienței Street behind modern apartment blocks. 

Along with the monastery, a Dacian archaeological site discovered in its courtyard was lost, reflecting the cultural cost of urban modernization under Ceaușescu.

The concept of state archives as public institutions emerged in Romania in the mid-19th century with the Organic Regulations (1831 in Wallachia and 1832 in Moldova), gradually evolving through further legislation. 

Following the Union of the Principalities, a unified institution, the General Directorate of the State Archives, was established under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Public Instruction.

A monumental space for history

Today, the Palace of the National Archives of Romania stands as a symbol of memory, resilience, and architectural heritage. Its elegant façades, grand staircases, and meticulously restored interiors reflect not only the skill of architects Nicolae Cerkez and Statie Ciortan but also the value placed on preserving national memory. 

Through exhibitions, conferences, and educational programs, the palace connects citizens with centuries of Romanian history, from medieval documents to 20th-century records, offering a space where history is both preserved and celebrated.

As Bucharest continues to evolve, the Palace of the National Archives remains a beacon of identity and culture, bridging the past with the present and inspiring future generations to value the stories contained within its walls.

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