Articles (893)

The greatest philanthropist of our country: Jacques Elias, the Bucharest hospital, and his entire fortune donated to the Romanian Academy

At the beginning of the 20th century, passersby walking along Calea Victoriei could often see an elegant gentleman sitting at a table in front of the Continental Hotel, sipping coffee and reading the Viennese newspaper Neue Freie Presse. That man was Jacques M. Elias — the hotel’s owner, banker, industrialist, and one of Bucharest’s most respected...

Where to donate autumn clothes and footwear in Bucharest

Donating isn’t just about getting rid of what you no longer need. It’s an act of gratitude and solidarity, a simple way to redistribute goodness. In autumn, as the city cools down and the long rains begin, the difference between comfort and need becomes more visible than ever. For some, a warm coat or a pair of boots can mean a bearable winter. For...

The first gas station in Bucharest: drivers bought “petrol spirit” at pharmacies and drugstores in 1900

At the end of the 19th century, Bucharest was a city alive with urban elegance: ornate carriages gracefully traversed Calea Victoriei, and horse-drawn wheels were the symbol of refinement. At the same time, Romania had already built a unique industrial identity — it was among the world’s pioneers in oil refining, with a functional refinery in Ploie...

The history of the famous Cinema Studio in Bucharest, from Magheru to Carpați, “born” during the Second World War.

Studio Cinema in Bucharest is one of the city’s most emblematic movie theaters, a landmark of Romanian film culture and an important part of the capital’s history. Located at 29 General Gheorghe Magheru Boulevard, right in the heart of Bucharest, the cinema has witnessed profound social transformations — from the interwar period to the present day....

Louis Pasteur, the chemist who changed the world, has a street named after him in the most beautiful district of Bucharest

Louis Pasteur was born on December 27, 1822, in the town of Dole, France, into a modest family. His father was a tanner, and his mother managed the household. In 1827, the family moved near Arbois, where young Louis began his studies. He was not considered a prodigy, but he was hardworking, disciplined, and deeply curious about the world around him...

The Batiștei neighborhood: from the path trampled by cattle and the puddles of the Bucureștioara to today’s grand residences

In the heart of old Bucharest, where elegant buildings, refined restaurants, and embassies now stand, lies one of the city’s oldest and most storied streets: Batiștei Street. Just a few steps from the modern center, the street begins behind the Intercontinental Hotel and the National Theatre, crossing other emblematic arteries — Tudor Arghezi, Jean...

The queen of Romanian chess was from Bucharest. The moving story of Grandmaster Elisabeta Polihroniade

Almost ten years have passed since the death of Elisabeta Polihroniade, one of the greatest chess players in Romanian history and a symbolic figure in world chess. Born on April 24, 1935, in Bucharest, Elisabeta was more than a champion — she was a true intellectual, a woman who lived with grace, discretion, and an unshakable passion for the game o...

How Bucharest’s Jewish Quarter Disappeared, Now Lost Among Interwar Houses and the Scent of a Bygone Era

The heart of Bucharest’s old Jewish Quarter is a place where one can no longer stroll—simply because it no longer exists. Nor do the Jews of that bygone time. All that remains is the fascinating story of what was once the city’s largest minority community and a few streets that survived the massive demolitions of the 1980s.The vanished heart of a c...

“The weekend escape”: why young people are leaving Bucharest every Friday

Every Friday between 4 and 7 p.m., Bucharest quietly empties. Not suddenly, but through a steady flow of cars heading out of the city — toward Brașov, the Prahova Valley, Vama Veche, Breaza, Comana, even the small villages surrounding the capital. It’s a cyclical migration, a ritual of escape that says more about the city’s real condition than any...

Bucharest City Hall, the history of a grand palace: Maidanul lui Duca, the Ministry of Public Works, and the People’s Council

On Regina Elisabeta Boulevard, right across from the quiet greenery of Cișmigiu Park, stands the imposing building that today houses Bucharest City Hall. With a history spanning more than a century, this monumental edifice is not only an administrative landmark but also a true testament to the architectural and urban evolution of Romania’s capital....