Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Bucharest 1

In the Middle Ages, Bucharest served as the summer

residence of the Wallachian court, but it gained notoriety

as the seat of the brutal Vlad Ţepeş (The Impaler) between

1456 and 1476. After periodic attacks by the Austrians and

Russians, the city was eventually conquered by the Ottomans

in the late 16th century, as a result of which it has a strong

Turkish flavour. Heavy bombing in World War II, followed

by a devastating earthquake in 1977, caused severe

damage, and gave President Nicolae Ceauşescu

an excuse to demolish huge swathes of the

historic Old Town. However, this bustling,

cosmo politan capital still boasts

an abundance of parks, churches,

lavish mansions and French-style

architecture that once earned it

the title of “Little Paris”. Its

numerous high-class restaurants

and boutiques, com bined with a

vibrant nightlife, add to its appeal.

570 SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE

SEE ALSO

• Where to Stay p596


• Where to Eat p598

Fountains in Unity Square, with the Palace of Parliament visible in the distance

Communist Party Headquarters 6

George Enescu Memorial Museum 8

Herãstrãu Park and Lake e

Museum of Art Collection 0

Museum of Old West Art r

Museum of the Romanian Peasant w

National History Museum 2

Old Court Church 3

Palace of Parliament pp572–3 1

Romanian Atheneum 7

Royal Palace and National Art Museum 9

Russian Church 5

Stavropoleos Church 4

Storck Museum q

SIGHTS AT A GLANCE

Herăstrău Park and Lake,

Museum of Old West Art

2 km (1 mile)

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