Articles (893)

The story of Casata confectionery, the place where you could find the best profiterole in 1970s Bucharest

For the generations who grew up after the December 1989 Revolution, evoking a place like Casata confectionery may seem like a journey into a mythical world. Not only because that Bucharest of the 1960s and 1970s had a vibrant urban life, but also because, in the absence of today’s abundance, sweets were a true ritual — a rare joy filled with meanin...

Famous boulevard names: Ștefan cel Mare, the greatest ruler of Moldova, an excellent strategist, a consummate victor

Ștefan cel Mare, also known as Ștefan III or, after canonization, Saint Ștefan the Great, is one of the most remarkable figures in Romanian history. Born around 1438 or 1439 in Borzești, Bacău County, he was the illegitimate son of ruler Bogdan II and Oltea, belonging to the Mușatin dynasty, one of the most important ruling families in Moldova. Chi...

Titan, the largest working-class district in Bucharest, admired by U.S. President Richard Nixon

In Greek mythology, the Titans were the sons of Uranus and Gaia—the first divine generation of demigods, immense and powerful beings. The choice of this name for a Bucharest neighborhood was not accidental. In the collective mindset of communist Romania, Titan represented the image of urban grandeur, a project meant to demonstrate the strength and...

The Zodiac Building on Calea Dorobanților, the only block in Romania whose façade displays the 12 zodiac signs

On Calea Dorobanților, at number 36-40, stands a building that immediately draws the eye of anyone passing by thanks to its unusual façade: the Zodiac Building. It is one of Bucharest’s most spectacular constructions, a true architectural landmark that keeps the post-war modernist spirit alive. An architectural jewel of the CapitalBuilt in 1946, sh...

Hotel Lido and the elegance of interwar Bucharest. The history of one of the most luxurious hotels in the capital

In the heart of Bucharest, on Magheru Boulevard, stands an emblematic building that still preserves the charm of an era of glory and refinement: Hotel Lido. During a time when Romania’s capital was rapidly transforming into a modern urban center, this hotel emerged as a benchmark of luxury, comfort, and innovation. Built at the initiative of Dr. Co...

The history of the Grivița brewery and excellence in Bucharest’s brewing tradition

Beer, one of the oldest beverages in the world, has a history that fades into the mists of time. In Europe, the brewing tradition developed as early as antiquity, and recipes passed down through generations were refined with the appearance of monasteries, where monks experimented with fermentation and preservation methods. From beer legends to the...

Beyond coffee and profit: the Bucharest cafés changing their communities

In a city where everything seems to move too fast, there are still places that choose to breathe differently. In recent years, Bucharest has seen the rise of a few businesses that go beyond profit — building instead around community, sustainability, and purpose. They show that in a city tired of slogans and marketing noise, small, consistent acts c...

Swimming pools in Bucharest – between chronic shortage and modernization promises

In a city of over two million people, where health and sports are constant public talking points, swimming infrastructure remains alarmingly underdeveloped. Bucharest has a handful of modern facilities, but the overall picture is fragmented: a few functional islands in a sea of broken promises, stalled projects, and pools closed for years.Swimming:...

The story of Romania’s first national anthem. It was chosen through a competition that offered a prize of 100 guilders

Few Romanians know that our country has had six national anthems throughout history. The idea of the need for a national anthem first appeared in the Romanian Principalities in 1840, in the context of a growing sense of national identity. The emergence of the idea of a national anthemAt that time, there was no official song symbolizing the unity an...

Rodica Ojog Brașoveanu, a story like in books. The great lady of Romanian detective literature who gave up law for Melania and Minerva

Rodica Ojog Brașoveanu, widely recognized as the grand dame of Romanian detective literature, was born on August 28, 1939, in Bucharest, in a block near the former Operetta district, close to the Izvor Bridge and the Bucharest Tribunal. Early life and family backgroundShe was the daughter of Ana Ojog, a schoolteacher, and Victor Ojog, a lawyer. Her...