Articles (47)

History of the „Grigore Alexandrescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children: The First Children’s Hospital in Eastern Europe

The „Grigore Alexandrescu” Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children in Bucharest stands as a landmark in the history of pediatric medicine, being the first hospital in Eastern Europe dedicated exclusively to children. Founded in 1886, the hospital was built following an English design, adapted by Romanian builders who completed the construction in...

The 1977 earthquake and Bucharest today – what collapsed and what lessons remain unlearned

On March 4, 1977, at 9:22 PM, Romania was struck by the strongest earthquake of the 20th century. Measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter in the Vrancea region, the quake lasted about 55 seconds. In Bucharest, the consequences were catastrophic: 1,424 people lost their lives, more than 7,000 were injured, and dozens of buildings coll...

The Story of Dr. Alexandru Obregia, the Brilliant Psychiatrist Who Treated and Cured Thousands of Mentally “Alienated” Romanians

Alexandru Obregia was born on July 20, 1860, in Iași, and became one of Romania’s most important psychiatrists. From the start, Obregia showed a strong inclination toward studying the human psyche and understanding mental illnesses. The Early Life and Education of Alexandru ObregiaHe was a student of the renowned Professor Dr. Alexandru Suțu and f...

Societatea Salvarea, Dr. Nicolae Minovici’s Project, and the Story of the First Ambulance in Bucharest

Nicolae Minovici is one of the most important names in the history of medicine in Romania, especially in Bucharest. An exceptional doctor, skilled in pedagogy and passionate about art, he laid the foundations for two essential institutions for public health: the first Emergency Hospital in the country and the first ambulance service, called Societa...

The lesson of history: who was Horia Hulubei – fighter pilot, war hero, and father of Romanian nuclear physics

The father of Romanian nuclear physics, Horia Hulubei, lived a tumultuous life marked by both brilliance and hardship. His story combines the courage of a fighter pilot, the resilience of a war hero, and the intellect of a visionary scientist. He fought in World War I, secretly collaborated with the Allies during World War II to help Romania change...

The history of Colentina Hospital: “New Pantelimon,” inaugurated by Alexandru Ioan Cuza

Colentina Hospital, one of the most important medical institutions in Bucharest and Romania as a whole, has its origins in the second half of the 19th century, at a time when the capital was undergoing a period of rapid modernization. The initiative to build a new medical facility came from Prince Scarlat Ghica, who aimed to provide the city with a...

The Military Hospital of Bucharest: A Two-Century History. Built for Soldiers Who Fought Against the Turks on Dealul Spirii in 1831

The history of the Military Hospital of Bucharest is intertwined with the modernization of Romania and the development of national military medicine. At the beginning of the 19th century, a time of significant political and military turmoil, the need arose to organize a medical system adapted to the army. Military hospitals, unlike civilian ones, o...

Famous boulevard names: Queen Elisabeth, the “mother of the wounded” Romanians, poet Carmen Sylva

Queen Elisabeth of Romania, known in the literary world under the pseudonym Carmen Sylva, was one of the most complex and luminous personalities in Romanian history. A refined intellectual, a talented writer, a woman of immense compassion, and deeply devoted to her people, Elisabeth was at once a queen, a loyal wife, and a soul profoundly marked by...

Daily life in Bucharest: how to find the best services and facilities

Bucharest is a metropolis-city, offering a wide range of services and facilities essential for everyday life. But that's precisely why, because there's so much variety, finding the best options can be overwhelming for newcomers or even for locals looking to improve their lifestyle. Here's how to find the best services and amenities so you can make...

Costs of living in Bucharest: a guide for expats

Bucharest is the capital that can offer you everything from urban dynamism and eclectic architecture, to economic and educational opportunities and vibrant cultural life, to green spaces and recreation. However, compared to other European capitals, Bucharest is a city with a relatively affordable cost of living. How much will it cost to live in Buc...