"Bucharest, Romania (2003)" a Bucharest Travel Page by facet

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Parliament Palace, Bucharest

Parliament Palace

Romania is striking example of the destruction that can be wreaked by one man's greed and lust for ultimate power. A beautiful country with vast, unspoilt wilderness and forests - all but crippled by the economic policies of a dictator. The Parliament Palace in Bucharest is a case in point. A huge monstrosity, second in size only to the Pentagon, built to showcase Romania to the world. Certainly impressive, with its marble, crystal chandeliers and gold leaf, but sadly out of place in a country with so much poverty. Still, the Romanian people struck me as being optimistic and positive about their country's future, especially the youth.

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St. Anton, the oldest church in Bucharest

Bucharest - city of contrasts

Bucharest is a city of striking contrasts. The overall impression is one of neglect. Most buildings are in varying states of disrepair, at the very least needing a coat of paint. Many churches and historical sites were demolished to make way for Ceaucescu's apartment buildings, but many of those that are left have been lovingly restored to something approaching their former beauty. The churches are certainly beautiful and the Romanian Orthodox services very moving - lots of chanting, incense, candles and icons reverently kissed by the faithful.

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The Snagov Monastery outside Bucharest

Count Dracula, aka Vlad the Impaler

The Snagov Monastery, dating back to the 14th century, is situated on an island in the Snagov lake outside Bucharest. The church's principal claim to fame is that it is purported to be the burial place of Count Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler due to his predilection for impaling his enemies alive. Nice guy ! Excavations in the 1930's discovered human remains in the church entrance, but legend has it that he was buried in front of the altar in the church. Excavations there yielded only an empty grave and the skeleton of a cat. To deepen the mystery, the human remains discovered in the church entrance has since disappeared without a trace. Sounds like the intro to a cheap Hollywood thriller, doesn't it ?