Articles (857)

Zavaidoc, the most famous fiddler of interwar Bucharest, sang on the front of World War I and refused to become an opera tenor

Zavaidoc, who became an emblematic name of interwar Romanian lăutărească music, was one of the most powerful voices that shaped the country’s musical culture. Born in Pitești on March 8, 1896, under the real name Marin Teodorescu, the artist grew up in a family where music had been passed down for generations. Origins of an extraordinary talentHis...

The Universul Palace, the ambitious project of journalist Luigi Cazzavillan and the history of Romania’s first high-circulation newspaper

At the intersection of Ion Brezoianu and Constantin Mille streets stands the Universul Palace, a building that did not only shape the architectural landscape of Bucharest, but also the evolution of Romanian journalism. The birth of a journalistic vision and the rise of an emblematic palaceFor a long time, the structure was regarded simply as a news...

Which car models have the lowest and highest RCA rates in Bucharest

In Bucharest, RCA insurance has become a sensitive topic. Heavy traffic, frequent accidents, high repair costs, and an enormous number of cars all push premiums upward, regardless of the insurer. Still, not all vehicles are treated the same: some models remain consistently cheaper to insure, while others fall into the “high-cost” category.To unders...

The National University of Music in Bucharest: From the Conservatory Founded by Al. I. Cuza to Today’s Temple of Music

Today, the National University of Music in Bucharest stands as a cornerstone of higher musical education in Romania, preserving and promoting a tradition that spans over a century and a half. It was founded in June 1863 by a decree of the Council of Ministers, under the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, with the aim of creating a high-standard institut...

The tragedy of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth: Their only child died at the age of three, struck down by a merciless illness

The day of April 9, 1874, would forever remain one of the most painful in the history of the Romanian monarchy. On that day, King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth lost their only child, Princess Maria, a little girl barely three and a half years old. Her unexpected death, caused by the dreadful scarlet fever, marked the end of innocence and happiness in...

Nicolae Minovici Museum of Folk Art, a century of history. From the “Bell Villa” to today’s folkloric treasure

Few buildings in Bucharest carry as much history and refinement within their walls as the Nicolae Minovici Museum of Folk Art, known to locals as the “Bell Villa” (Vila cu clopoței). Built in 1905 according to the plans of architect Cristofi Cerchez, the house is one of the first and most representative buildings in the northern part of the capital...

Ioan Cantacuzino, the hospital and the legacy. The story of the microbiologist who founded the Romanian school of immunology

Few figures in the history of Romanian medicine have had such a profound and lasting impact as Ioan Cantacuzino, the man who laid the foundations of the Romanian school of microbiology, immunology, and experimental medicine. A world-renowned scientist, inventor of vaccines against cholera and tuberculosis in Romania, and founder of the institute th...

Tuberculosis Crushed the “Prince of Operetta” on the Stage in Bucharest: The Tragic Story of Interwar Tenor Nae Leonard

Few artists have captured the hearts of Romanians as Nae Leonard did, famously known as the “Prince of Operetta.” At the height of his fame, women across the country adored him with an almost feverish passion. From schoolgirls to married women, all kept a photograph of his smiling face under their pillows. He was a true symbol of elegance, masculin...

How much RCA insurance costs in Bucharest and how it compares to Ilfov. Rates are rising by the end of 2025

By the end of 2025, drivers from Bucharest and Ilfov will continue to face the highest RCA insurance costs in Romania. The new reference rates, published by the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF), show an average increase of over 5% for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Although these rates are only indicative, they reflect real market tre...

Masterpieces by Picasso and Canaletto on view at Art Safari starting Thursday – PHOTO

Masterpieces such as The Painter and His Model Outdoors (1963) by Pablo Picasso and Capriccio with Gothic Church and Lagoon (c. 1720–1721) by Il Canaletto can be seen starting Thursday in a new Art Safari exhibition, The Charm of Antiquity: Art treasures from the Intesa Sanpaolo collections.Other major names featured in the exhibition include Giova...