Articles (633)

The Princely Court of Târgoviște – the connection with the rulers of Wallachia

The Princely Court of Târgoviște is one of the most important medieval complexes in Romania and, for almost three centuries, represented the political, administrative, and cultural center of Wallachia. The first documentary mention of Târgoviște dates back to 1396, and shortly afterward, the settlement became a strategic location due to its positio...

The story of the great Petre Ispirescu, the boy from a Bucharest neighborhood who listened to stories in his father’s barbershop

Petre Ispirescu remains one of the essential figures of Romanian literature, the man who transformed tales gathered from neighborhoods, villages, and the homes of ordinary people into true treasures of our culture. From his childhood spent among the clients of his father’s barbershop to his recognition as “the father of Romanian fairy tales,” his l...

How to move fastest through Bucharest at rush hour: metro, bus or electric scooter?

Bucharest traffic is a daily reality, and rush hours turn the city into a test of patience. The question is not just “where are you going,” but “how fast can you actually get there, and with how much stress.” Three of the most common options—metro, bus, and electric scooters—show very different results.Metro – the underground network that saves tim...

Dormitory neighborhoods: why Bucharest grew upwards instead of outwards

Bucharest today is a city of contrasts. On one side, elegant interwar buildings with wide courtyards and ornate facades. On the other, massive apartment blocks built in the 1960s–1980s, lined up in neighborhoods that look almost identical: Drumul Taberei, Titan, Berceni, Militari. These so-called “dormitory neighborhoods” were the result of a delib...

Literary Bucharest — an itinerary through the novels and novellas that turned the city into a setting, a character, or a state of mind

Bucharest is not only the capital of Romania but also a literary space with its own identity. Throughout the 20th century, several important authors used its streets, neighborhoods, and atmosphere as a backdrop or even as a central character in their works. In famous novels and novellas, from Mircea Eliade’s Maitreyi to George Călinescu’s Enigma Ot...

Gheorghe Lazăr National College in Bucharest, a brief history. It was relocated during the Stalinist period, but managed to preserve the “Lăzărist” spirit

Gheorghe Lazăr National College in Bucharest is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Romania, with a history that reflects the evolution of Romanian education from the mid-19th century to the present. Founded at the initiative of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza on January 18, 1860, the school was the second Romanian-language gymnasium...

The cheapest markets in Bucharest

Bucharest has an extensive network of farmers’ markets, each with its own characteristics and price levels. For budget-conscious shoppers, the differences between markets can be significant. In the capital, there are places where fruits, vegetables, and traditional products are much cheaper than in supermarkets or in some central markets. Among the...

Alina and Grigore Antipa Loved Beyond Death. The Scientist’s Wife Committed Suicide Hours After Losing Her Partner

Grigore Antipa remains one of the most important figures in Romanian history, a biologist, ecologist, and the country’s first hydrobiologist. He was a passionate researcher, deeply dedicated both to the study of nature and to public education. Antipa founded and led the National Museum of Natural History in Bucharest, an institution inaugurated on...

He Loved 700 Women, Whom Mihail Kogălniceanu Noted in a Journal. The Passions of Ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza

Alexandru Ioan Cuza, the first ruler of the United Principalities, was known not only for his political and social reforms but also for his tumultuous and passionate personal life. In a century marked by change and instability, Cuza lived every moment intensely, and his amorous adventures became legendary. Beyond his political activity and responsi...

The Story of Doctor Carol Davila: The Alleged Illegitimate Son of Franz Liszt Who Built Romania’s First Orphanage

Carol Davila remains one of the most remarkable figures in the history of Romanian medicine, widely recognized as the father of modern medicine in Romania. His life resembled a novel, full of extraordinary professional achievements, personal sacrifices, and tragedies, yet marked by an unwavering dedication to his profession. He saved hundreds of th...