Bucharest has a number of exquisite art galleries, museums, cathedrals and cultural and architectural sights connected to its history and development, where visitors can understand the beauty and value of the city. Centrul civic, Piaţa Revoluţiei (Revolution Square) and Piaţa Universităţii (University Square) are connected to the events of the 1989 revolution. Other buildings go back to the period when Bucharest was called “Little Paris” and others to older time periods, going deep into the tradition and history of Romania. Sights, such as the Opera and various museums and galleries are connected to the cultural life of Bucharest.

Recommended sights:

• The Village Museum – located on the bench of the Herestrău Lake, in open air. The museum was founded in 1936 by the Sociology School of Romania, created and leaded by professor Dimitrie Gusti, well known Romanian sociologist. The Village Museum is one of the biggest and oldest museums in the whole of Europe. The visitor can see original monuments (over 300) such as houses, churches, water and windmills, in original sizes, of great historical and artistic value.

• National Art Museum – the museum is in fact the ex-Royal Palace (of Carol the 1st). The Palace owns its design to Carol the 2nd who transformed it into a great monument that hosts at present the art galleries of the National Art Museum. The collections in the exposition areas of the palace are divided into: Medieval Art (over 9500 art pieces), Romanian Modern Art (8136 paintings and 1810 sculptures), Drawings and Engravings Hall, European Art (over 2450 art pieces, paintings and sculptures), Applied Art, Oriental Art (approx. 2600 art pieces)

• Cotroceni National Museum - Cotroceni Palace is part of the Cotroceni National Museum, which presents the medieval and modern history of the Palace and of its evolution and transformations in time. Cotroceni Palace was built to be the residence of the heirs of the Romanian Kingdom, Ferdinand and Maria. In this palace crucial political events had taken place for Romania. After 1977, the palace was used by the communist dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu as a guest house. Starting with 1991 the building became the official residence of the President of Romania. The Cotroceni Palace, Cotroceni Church and Cotroceni Monastery reflect three centuries of history that interweave political, military, diplomatic, religious and cultural aspects with the general evolution of the Romanian society.

• The Opera – Although the lyric occurrences in Romania are dated even from the beginning of the 19th century, the Opera building is a rather new construction (1953), built by the architect Octav Doicescu. It accommodates 2200 people and it also presents at the last floor The Opera Museum, where documents, photos and costumes that illustrate the development of lyricism in Romania are exhibited. In front of the building there is the statue of the great internationally known musician George Enescu, sculpted by Ion Jalea (the greatest Romanian sculptor)

• National Theatre – The impressive building of the National Theatre was built between 1967 and 1970. The Romanian Theatre became famous on the big international stages after the 1989 revolution. You can enjoy the extraordinary performances of Romanian and international artists.

• Romanian Athenaeum – the headquarters of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra

• Herăstrău Park – The biggest park in Bucharest. Because of its impressive dimensions the park was structured in two areas, one part is designed for relaxation and culture and the other one, on the other side of the Herăstrău Lake, for sport and entertainment. The first part comprises two theatres, two exhibition pavilions, libraries, shade shield for reading and chess; and boats. The second part comprises cottages, sport fields and restaurants.

• Cişmigiu Park – Its beauty impressed famous Romanian writers who gathered in the harmonious atmosphere of the park in order to get inspired for their writings. The beauty and the uniqueness of the park are mentioned in Romanian poetry and prose.

• Piaţa Revoluţiei– Represents the fall of Communism in Romania. This is where people gathered to revolt against the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceauşescu.

• Casa Poporului (at present House of Parliament) - Built during the Communism, by dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu, it is 84m high (comprises 12 floors) and with an area of over 330,000 square meters it is the second biggest building in the world after the Pentagon. The “Unity Hall” is 16m high, has an area of 2200 square meters and comprises the biggest chandelier in the building, weighing 3 tones and holding 7000 bulbs. Underground, there is the building’s identical copy as far as built area is concerned. Rumor has it that there is an entire city underground, with high ways that exit the city in all directions.

The Village Museum – Bucharest, 28-30 Kiseleff Road, sector 1, Tel. no..: +4 021 317 91 10

National Art Museum - 49-53 Calea Victoriei Street, Bucharest, Tel. no.: +4 021 315 51 93

Cotroceni National Museum – 1, Geniului Blvd. Bucharest, Tel. no.: +4 021 221 12 00

The Opera - 70-72, Mihail Kogălniceanu Blvd., Bucharest, Tel. no.: +4 021 313 18 57

National Theatre – 2, Nicolae Bălcescu Blvd., Tel. no.: +4 021 314 70 81

Romanian Athenaeum – 1, Franklin Street, Bucharest

Casa Poporului – 2-4, Izvor Street, sector.5, Bucharest

About the Author: This article written by, Diana Chirita, From Constanta, Romania... Specializing in Travel Articles for ZinnTravel.com on subjects such as, Romania, Bucharest Constanta, Clubbing, Sightseeing, travel tips and things to do. Article supplied by ZinnTravel.com, your Global Clubbing Travel Source. Specializing in the travel needs of DJ's, Clubbers and Friends. ZinnTravel.com can handle all your booking as well as supply you with information resources on travel destinations such as, Miami, London, Berlin, Ibiza, Bucharest and many other worldwide locations. http://www.zinntravel.com