Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, a Danube-plain metropolis of about 1.7 million people known for the monumental Palace of the Parliament, a revived medieval Old Town, grand Calea Victoriei and its belle epoque 'Little Paris' boulevards. It combines Ottoman-era inns, Brancovenesc churches, interwar villas and communist-era blocks with a lively cafe, bar and live-music scene.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Bucharest.
-
1
First documentary mention of Bucharest
Prince Vlad III the Impaler (Dracula) issues a document dated 20 September 1459 from Bucharest, the first written record of the city; Curtea Veche serves as his princely court
-
2
Mircea Ciobanul rebuilds Curtea Veche
Prince Mircea Ciobanul rebuilds and enlarges the princely court and its church, cementing Bucharest as a princely seat
-
3
Bucharest becomes capital of Wallachia
Under Constantin Serban the princely seat moves permanently from Targoviste to Bucharest, which becomes the capital of Wallachia
-
4
Brancovenesc golden age
Prince Constantin Brancoveanu builds churches and palaces, including Mogosoaia Palace, defining the Brancovenesc architectural style
-
5
Treaty of Bucharest
The treaty ending the Russo-Turkish War of 1806-1812 is signed in Bucharest and cedes Bessarabia to Russia; negotiations take place at Manuc's Inn
-
6
Wallachian Revolution
A liberal revolution against Ottoman and Russian influence briefly takes hold in Bucharest before being suppressed
-
7
Capital of the United Principalities
After the union of Wallachia and Moldavia under Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859), Bucharest becomes the capital of the new state, later called Romania
-
8
Kingdom of Romania
Romania is proclaimed a kingdom with Carol I as king; Bucharest develops its boulevards, the Athenaeum (opened 1888) and the nickname 'Little Paris'
-
9
Earthquake and wartime
A major earthquake on 10 November 1940 damages the city, and Bucharest is bombed in 1944 during World War II
-
10
Communist regime
Romania becomes a communist People's Republic, nationalizing property and reshaping the city under Soviet influence
-
11
Great earthquake
The earthquake of 4 March 1977 kills more than 1,500 people in Romania, most of them in Bucharest, and destroys many historic buildings
-
12
Ceausescu demolitions and the House of the People
Nicolae Ceausescu demolishes a large part of the historic centre, including churches and monasteries, to build the Civic Centre and the Palace of the Parliament
-
13
Romanian Revolution
Protests in Timisoara spread to Bucharest; on 21-22 December 1989 crowds in Revolution Square force Ceausescu to flee, ending communist rule
-
14
European Union membership
Romania joins the EU on 1 January 2007; Bucharest becomes a regional business, university and nightlife hub
-
15
Full Schengen membership
Romania joins the Schengen area fully on 1 January 2025, removing land-border checks for travellers
Historical sites
Places where Bucharest's past comes alive.
Curtea Veche (Old Princely Court)
Where: Sector 3, Bucharest
Admission: About 15 RON (about $3 USD); check the current price at the ticket desk
Stavropoleos Monastery
Where: Sector 3, Bucharest
Admission: Free
Manuc's Inn (Hanul lui Manuc)
Where: Sector 3, Bucharest
Admission: Free
Palace of the Parliament (Casa Poporului)
Where: Sector 5, Bucharest
Admission: About 70 RON (about $15 USD) for the standard guided visit; confirm the current tariff at cic.cdep.ro
Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Roman)
Where: Sector 1, Bucharest
Admission: Concert tickets about 30-150 RON (about $7-33 USD); tour prices vary, check fge.ro
Revolution Square and Memorial of Rebirth
Where: Sector 1, Bucharest
Admission: Free
Arcul de Triumf (Arch of Triumph)
Where: Sector 1, Bucharest
Admission: Free
Cotroceni National Museum (Cotroceni Palace)
Where: Sector 5, Bucharest
Admission: About 40-60 RON (about $9-13 USD) depending on the route; check muzeulcotroceni.ro
Mogosoaia Palace
Where: Mogosoaia, Ilfov County (about 15 km from central Bucharest)
Admission: About 25-30 RON (about $5-7 USD); extra fee for photography
Primaverii Palace (Ceausescu Mansion)
Where: Sector 1, Bucharest
Admission: About 70-80 RON (about $15-17 USD)
Kretzulescu Church
Where: Sector 1, Bucharest
Admission: Free
CEC Palace
Where: Sector 3, Bucharest
Admission: Free