Articles (1839)

Sephardim, the vanished community of Bucharest. Who they are and how many still live today

The Sephardic Jewish community of Bucharest has a history spanning several centuries, but today their numbers are extremely small. Descendants of those expelled from Spain and Portugal at the end of the 15th century, the Sephardim found refuge in southern Romania and later contributed to the economic, social, and cultural life of the capital. Once...

Why Bucharest Has a Square Named Charles de Gaulle and the History Behind It

Charles de Gaulle Square, one of the busiest and most well-known intersections in northern Bucharest, has a unique history, marked by successive name changes dictated by the political context of each era. The place that today connects the Primăverii neighborhood, Aviatorilor Boulevard, and Herăstrău Park was, at the beginning of the 19th century, k...

History with a taste of the past. “Caragiale’s Gambrinus Brewery, the fiercest rival of the famous Caru’ cu Bere

Few stories in Bucharest’s history combine flavors, culture, and literary memories as well as that of the Gambrinus Brewery. A celebrated haunt of the city’s bohemian circles, the legendary establishment was more than just a tavern: it became a symbol of the capital, a meeting point for writers, journalists, artists, and politicians. Its associatio...

Chiajna Monastery, between myth and reality. The cemetery, the shadows, and the curse of the bell

On the outskirts of Bucharest, where urban blends with rural and past intertwines with present, rise the imposing ruins of Chiajna Monastery. A place steeped in mystery and stories that defy logic, this unfinished sanctuary has become, for the people of Bucharest, a space of legends: where shadows come to life, bells still ring beyond time, and a c...

Hotel Cișmigiu, haunted by immortal legends. The story of Neli Bejan, the student from Bessarabia who died in the elevator shaft

In the center of Bucharest, on Regina Elisabeta Boulevard, just a few steps from Cișmigiu Garden, stands an imposing building with a history of more than a century: Hotel Cișmigiu. Inaugurated during the interwar period, it went through eras of glory, decline, and rebirth, becoming an urban and cultural landmark. Yet beyond its elegant architecture...

The story of the eccentric Beizadea Vițel and the most beautiful palace in Bucharest’s history, mercilessly demolished by the communists

In the history of Bucharest, there are buildings remembered not only for their beauty but also for the stories of those who built them. The Sturdza Palace, also known as “Beizadea Vițel’s Palace” or “The Cake at the Head of the Bridge,” was one of these monuments. Built in Piața Victoriei, where today government headquarters stand and where major p...

„The Perch” from Vâlcea that Bucharest adopted and loved. A quarter of a century without the great actor Dem Rădulescu”

On September 21, 1931, in Râmnicu Vâlcea, a child was born who would become one of the fundamental figures of Romanian theater and cinema. Dem Rădulescu, nicknamed “Bibanu’” (“the Perch”), earned a place not only in the hearts of audiences, but also in Romania’s cultural memory. Twenty-five years after his passing, his destiny deserves to be revisi...

Why the most famous boulevard in central Bucharest has four names and how they are divided

The North–South artery of the Romanian capital, linking Piața Victoriei to Piața Unirii, is perhaps the best-known and most traveled street in Bucharest. Paradoxically, over a distance of just 4.5 kilometers, it bears four different names: Lascăr Catargiu, Gheorghe Magheru, Nicolae Bălcescu, and Ion C. Brătianu. Each segment commemorates a signific...

A rainy day in Bucharest: why the city changes completely

Bucharest has its own rhythm – fast, noisy, impossible to ignore. But when it rains, the city sheds its skin. It’s not just about heavier traffic or colorful umbrellas on the sidewalks. It’s a different atmosphere, a different way of experiencing the space around you.In the morning, the rain washes down the wide boulevards. Neon signs and billboard...

What foreigners who moved to Bucharest say about the city

Many expats arrive in Bucharest with a mix of curiosity and hesitation. The city doesn’t always appear on lists of “most desirable destinations,” but those who settle here quickly discover that reality is more nuanced: striking contrasts, affordable living costs, but also challenges such as traffic and bureaucracy.The city’s unique charmMatteo Talo...