The old cobblestone streets located between the Calea Victoriei, Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta, Bulevardul Bratianu and the Dambovita River are Bucharest’s most distinctive areas. Here you will find a happening alternative club scene, bars, restaurants and trendy cafes where life spills out on the streets during summer. Credited to Vlad Tepes, the Curtea Veche (Old Court), built in the 15th century, has a few remaining arches, walls, tombstones and a Corinthian column that has been restored. The 16th century church, Biserica Curtea Veche is located next door and is the oldest church in Bucharest. East of the church is Hanul lui Manuc, the oldest inn of the city, which still has a moderately priced hotel, basement restaurant and a cafe-bar in the courtyard (but now is closed for restauration).

Over to the north is Strada Lipscani, a merchant street where you can buy handmade hats, bridal gowns and cheap clothes. Hanul cu Tei alley is a great place to shop for antiques and handmade souvenirs. Smardan is a pedestrian street were you'll find many shops and bars.

One block to the south west of Strada Lipscani is Stavropoleos street, where the notable Biserica Stavropoleos is located. Built in 1724, this church can be called Bucharest’s most beautiful, not only for its recently restored icons and frescoes, but also for its peaceful cloister garden that is filled with 19th century tombstones and many antiquities. This church was designed by the Wallachian prince, Constantin Brancoveanu (1688-1714) who was known for his achievements in religious architecture.

This monument was designed by Petre Antonescu, in honour of the bravery of WW I Romanian soldiers, and serves as the city’s own Arc de Triomphe. Standing 85 ft tall, the original construction of the Arch – in wood – took place in 1922, and it was eventually completed in Deva granite in 1936.

Visitors can climb up to the top of the Arch via an internal staircase for a beautiful view of the city. There are a series of sculptures decorating the building. These sculptures have been created by Romania’s leading artists – Constantin Medrea, Ion Jalea and Constantin Barasch.

Once known as the People’s Palace, the immense Parliament Palace was built by Nicolae Ceausescu, leader of the Communist Party, and is the world’s second largest administrative building after the Pentagon in the US. The construction of the Palace required 700 architects and 20,000 workers. There are 12 storeys, with a total of 1,100 rooms and four underground levels, of which one is a huge nuclear bunker, and a grand 328 ft long lobby.

It is possible to see the palace on a guided tour when the Senate is not in session, as part of the palace is used by the Senate. The palace interior is luxurious and imposing, with crystal chandeliers that have up to 7,000 light bulbs, oak panelling, gold leaf, marble, mosaics, rich carpets and exquisite stained-glass windows.

This famous square came to the world’s attention when Nicolae Ceausescu’s last few moments in power were broadcast on TV on 21December 1989. It was at this spot that the world saw him stand on the balcony of the erstwhile Communist Party Headquarters and stare in disbelief at the angry crowds gathered to rail at him. He left by helicopter but was captured outside the city after a few hours.

Visit the small but very beautiful Kretzulescu Church at the south end of the square.

The National Theatre is a popular destination and the theatrical heart of the city. There are events and shows for both adults and children, such as the Tandarica Puppet Theatre, which is in Romanian, but can be easily understood by everyone.

The Athenaeum was designed by Albert Galleron, a French architect who was also the architect of the National Bank of Romania. It looks like an ancient temple, with its Doric columns and high dome. Completed in 1888, the Athenaeum was almost completely financed by money donated by the public.

The lobby of the Athenaeum has a magnificent painted ceiling embellished with gold leaf and has rounded balconies around a grand spiral staircase. The pink marble columns and flowing arches with brass lanterns give the impression of a beautiful necklace. Known for its exceptional acoustics, the Athenaeum is the city’s most prominent concert hall and is home to the Romanian George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra.

Attend a performance of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra in the magnificent Royal Athaeneum or take in a ballet performance.

This interesting outdoor museum was founded by a royal order in 1936 and is the largest of its kind in Europe, covering 30 acres of Herastrau Park on the banks of Lake Herastrau. There are 50 buildings that represent the design and history of rural architecture in Romania, showcasing everything from thatched barns, churches, peasant homes with steep roofs, log cabins and watermills from across the country that were taken apart, shipped to and then rebuilt at the museum.

The Village Museum has many special events all through the year, where one can see folk artists demonstrate local techniques of pottery, weaving and other traditional crafts. Don’t forget to visit the museum gift shop, where you can pick up some traditional arts and crafts.

The immense Herastrau Park is spread over 400 acres, all the way from the Baneasa Bridge to the Arch of Triumph, and has a host of attractions from boat rentals to tennis courts and even an old-fashioned fairground. Several terraces in the park are opened during the summer. A good way to see the park is by ferry or by renting a boat.

 The Village Museum is also located in the park and is a great starting point for exploring the city. Remember to visit the streets between Bulevardul Mircea Eliade and the Soseaua Kisileff that have magnificent old houses built in the neoclassical style of the 19th century, art nouveau style of the 20th century and even luxurious modern villas. This is the part of town where the elite of Bucharest have always lived, and still do.

The Romanian Peasant Museum opened its doors in 1906 and features a rich collection of Romanian folk art, with more than 90000 pieces denoting the diverse cultural life of the people of Romania.

Its pottery collection has 18000 pieces, which makes it the country’s key pottery centre; the oldest item dates back to 1746. In its costume collection, there are close to 20000 traditional costumes, many dating back to the early 19th century; this gives visitors a great insight to styles of clothing as well as traditions of Romanian peasants in the past.

Old Cismigiu Park (the name comes from the job title of Cismigiu- a worker that was in charge of taking care of public fountains) was the second public garden of Bucharest. In 1800 it was just a pond with enough fish for both amateur and experienced fishermen. In 1830 Cismigiu Lake was already included in the urban plans of General Kiseleff, who intended to build here a public garden.

In 1837 some work began and in the spring of 1845, under landscape architect Karl Meyer's surveillance who arrived in the country at emperor's Gheorghe Bibescu's request, the lake was drained and the first trees were planted.

Inhabited off and on by local royalty, since the 14th century, "Curtea Domneasca" from Bucharest is richer in legends and stories than its walls. It is said that from here wagons loaded with gold and precious gemstones used to head off to the Turkish Empire.

On the island of Pacuiul lui Soare, near the town Calarasi (in South Romania), in the Ostrov area, many centuries ago, the Byzantine fortress Vicina was erected. It was recently revealed by the Danube's low waters. The ancient walls that couldn't be studied until the waters retreated, offered the explorers a huge surprise. Also discovered were the remains of something that appeared to be an ancient medieval ship.

Mogosoaia Palace is situated near Bucharest (about 10 kilometers) and it was built by Constantin Brancoveanu. The palace has become a popular tourist destination. It has beautiful gardens and houses a museum and art gallery.

Oltenia Museum is a public institute in Craiova. Its main purpose is to collect, preserve, examine, restore, communicate and exhibit material and spiritual testimony of the existence and development of human communities and enviroment.

This museum is carring out its activity in three major departments: Archeology & History, Ethnography and Natural Sciences.

Over the nine decades of activities, the heritage of the museum experienced an impressive growth, from 1050 pieces in 1027 to  29,120 pieces in 1955 and almos 235,000 pieces these day, 573 of them being classified as treasury. Increase heritage was achived by excavation field research, purchases and even donations.

Address: 8 Popa Sapca Street, Craiova, Dolj county
Telephone: +40251/411.906
E-mail: office@muzeulolteniei.ro
Web: www.muzeulolteniei.ro
Open: Tuesday-Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday - closed

One of the most spectacular Romanian churches, Cozia Monastery is placed on the right bank of the Olt River, 3 km away from Calimanesti-Caciulata Spa/Resort and 20 km North from Ramnicu Valcea city.

Cozia Monastery was founded over 600 years ago by Mircea cel Batran, Prince of the former Romanian Country and represents an undeniable architectural treasure of Romanian heritage.

The Endless Column is part of The Sculptural Ensemble of Constantin Brancusi in Targu Jiu, together with The Table of Silence and The Gate of Kiss. Constantin Brancusi was a Romanian sculptor with overwhelming contributions to the renewal of vision and language arts in contemporary sculpture. The Endless Column or The Column of the Infinite Sacrifice, considered by Sidney Geist peak of modern art, is a true "spiritual testament" of the artist, a true axis mundi, seemed designed to support the vault of heaven forever. It is 29 meters high and consists of 17 rhomboidal modules made of iron.

The Table of Silence is part of The Sculptural Ensemble of Constantin Brancusi in Targu Jiu, together with The Endless Column and The Gate of Kiss. Constantin Brancusi was a Romanian sculptor with overwhelming contributions to the renewal of visual and language arts in contemporary sculpture. The Table of Silence is made of limestone. Around the table, Brancusi arranged 12 symbolic chairs, at an equal distance one from the other. The name of "chairs" actually hides a sacred reality: the hourglasses, one for each hour, which are measuring the flowing of time.

Hurezi Monastery (or Horezu Monastery) is considered to be the most representative construction in the 'Brancovenesc' style.  This monastery is also a monument, being included in the UNESCO Patrimony since 1993. The name of the monastery comes from "huhurezi" (eagle owls), a species of night birds with coloured plumage. According to the legend, the workers that built it, were forced to work only by night when the eagle owls were singing.