The Royal Century tour met at the National Military Club in front of the flagpole. Check their website https://bucharest.walkaboutfreetours.com/free-walking-tours-bucharest/ for current meeting times.
Our first stop was the Odeon Theatre, which was built in 1911.
Nearby, we explored a passageway reminiscent of the covered walkways of Paris--Pasaciul Victoriei
The passageway is covered with colorful umbrellas.
There was a white disc on the building. Our guide explained that red discs on buildings indicate that it is not seismically safe and may fall down in an earthquake. Landlords simply paint them white and ignore the warning.
Near the colorful umbrella passageway, we walked through this contrasting dark passageway. The passageway was home to a brothel until recently.
Our next stop was Cismigiu Park, a peaceful green space with a small pond. You can rent paddle boats May-September.
Leaving the park, we found this mural of Vlad Tepes having a beer with Bram Stoker.
Not sure why there were aliens at the table as well.
Our guide told us French Revolution, located at Strada Constantin Esarcu 1, had the best eclairs. We were going to return to get one but never made it back.
The Romanian Atheneum is home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. It was built in 1888 and George Enescu made his debut here in 1898.
The National Art Museum is located nearby. It's housed in the Royal Palace, which was built from 1812-1815 by Prince Golescu. It houses national and European art.
Across the street is a statue of King Carol I. The original statue was destroyed by the communists in 1948. The new statue was unveiled in 2010.
Behind the statue is the library of the Carol I University Foundation.
A block away, Ceausescu's final speech was given from the balcony of the former Central Committee of the Communist Party Building. He escaped by helicopter from the roof. It's now the Interior Ministry building.
The Rebirth Memorial stands in front of the building. It commemorates the struggles and victims of the Romanian Revolution of 1989.
The obelisk is pierced by a basket-like crown. Some say it looks like a heart, especially with the red paint.
The base of the Memorial has abstract figures.
Nearby is "The Broken Man," a statue of Maniu, the Prime Minister of Romania for 3 terms and co-founder of the National Peasants' Party.
The headquarter of the CEC Bank built in 1900 is opposite the National Museum of Romanian History and the end of our tour.
2019 09 26
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