"Bucharest" a Bucharest Travel Page by cheekymarieh

Bucharest is the largestcity within Romania and also the capital. It is a city of contrasts with some opulent buildings lying side by side with the some of the most poverty stricken areas in Europe. It is on the River Dambovit and was part of the Constaninople trade route.
There are various legends around the foundation of the city that have developed over the passage of time.

One of the main characters of the city was Vlad Tepes, more commonly known as Vlad the Impaler. Of course for me he is even better known as Count Dracula, the star of many films! (see my Whitby travelogue for more info on Dracula!)He lived in Bucharest after moving from Tirgoviste. Close to Bucharest you will find Snagov Monastery where the grave of the Prince of Darkness lies.

Another dark character that the city is famous for is Nicolae Ceausescu, the communist dictator, who ruled by supression. The city bears many of the scars of his reign of terror. he sytematically destroyed old buildings and tried to create a concrete jungle
In late 1989 he was finally overthrown. After a military trial both he and his wife Elena were shot.