Articles (645)

The Red Snake, between Glory and Ruin: How the Favorite Tavern of 20th-Century Bucharest’s Great Artists Met Its End

Bucharest, a city with a rich history and a unique charm, has always been known for its picturesque taverns, places where urban life and artistic bohemianism blended into an unforgettable atmosphere. Among these legendary spots stood “Șarpele Roșu” (“The Red Snake”), a tavern that became the epicenter of Bucharest’s bohemian life after the Revoluti...

Famous park names: Nicolae Basilescu, the politician who invented Romanian champagne

Nicolae Basilescu, born on January 1, 1860, in Urlați, Prahova County, was not just a law professor or politician of his time. His life perfectly illustrated the profile of a complex man, with a vision far beyond the academic or political sphere. The beginnings of a remarkable destinyBasilescu trained as a jurist in Bucharest, and he completed his...

Vitan, the neighborhood with Bucharest’s first mall. Here, townspeople once grazed their cattle in the heart of the city

Bucharest is a city whose neighborhoods hide fascinating stories, often forgotten or ignored by its inhabitants. Each area of the capital has its own history, explaining why it carries a certain name and how it has changed over time. The Vitan neighborhood, known today as the site of Bucharest’s first mall, has a history quite different from the mo...

Who was Mina Minovici, the doctor who founded Romanian forensic medicine and the institute that today bears his name

The name Mina Minovici is synonymous with the beginnings of Romanian forensic medicine, and his contributions remain fundamental to this field. Yet few people know the details of his professional journey, the difficult path he took to become one of the most important doctors of his time.Childhood and the making of an exceptional destinyHe was born...

“The Romanian Pieta” stands in Cișmigiu Garden. The sad story behind the statue of the great sculptor Ion Jalea

Cișmigiu Park, one of the oldest and most beloved green spaces in Bucharest, houses a statue with a special significance, charged with emotion and history: “The Romanian Pieta” or “Glory to the French Heroes.” Created by sculptor Ion Jalea in 1920 and inaugurated in 1922, the work is not only a tribute to the sacrifice of the French soldiers who fe...

The Forbidden Love Between Queen Maria and the “White Prince” Barbu Știrbey: “I love you, my Mary!”

Dynastic love stories are not always written with happiness. The marriage between Queen Maria and King Ferdinand I of Romania was devoid of passion, built on political reasoning and obligations of blood. Their relationship was cold, formal, and more an alliance to serve the crown than their hearts. While Ferdinand remained all his life longing for...

How much extracurricular activities for children really cost, in Bucharest

For many parents in Bucharest, extracurricular activities are no longer a luxury, but almost an unwritten rule. Kids take piano lessons, go swimming, practice ballroom dance or robotics, and the social pressure of “keeping up with everyone else” pushes families to sign them up. The problem is that this growing variety of options comes with increasi...

Where to find the best autumn vegetable markets in Bucharest

Autumn transforms Bucharest’s markets. Stalls turn into a riot of colors, the air smells of roasted eggplants, quinces, and grapes, and people come armed with shopping bags. But where should you actually go if you want fresh produce at fair prices, without compromises?Obor Market – the classic that never failsObor Market remains the go-to place if...

Famous boulevard names: Mihai Bravu, the brave ruler who united Transylvania with Wallachia in 1600

Many times, we walk along the streets and boulevards of the capital without wondering who lies behind their names. Yet almost every name carries a story, whether it reminds us of great historical figures, important events, or personalities less familiar to the public. A telling example is Mihai Bravu Boulevard, one of the most important traffic art...

The Story of the Crângași Neighborhood: Inhabitants of the Vlăsia Forest, Bucharest’s “Black Sector,” and the Dâmbovița Floods

Few neighborhoods in Bucharest can claim roots as ancient as those of Crângași. Today part of Sector 6 of the Capital, this seemingly modest district hides a turbulent history stretching across many centuries. The earliest traces of human activity in the area date back to the 4th century AD, as evidenced by the discovery of Roman coins from the rei...