Over a quarter of a century has passed since the demise of communism and of its most prolific image: Nicolae Ceausescu. Despite the tremendous growth Romania and Bucharest have experienced during these years, remnants of the regime are still noticeable in most aspects of everyday life: from politics to public healthcare to urban architecture.
The main communist sights that you’ll see on this tour include:
- The Palace of the Parliament: The second-largest building in the world, and the most expensive administrative building.
- The churches hidden behind the utilitarian building façades, including the Antim Monastery (inside visit), which fortunately survived the demolition frenzy and is a testimony of a completely different city.
- The former Victory of Socialism Boulevard: The socialist version of Paris’ Champs-Élysées.
- The Spark House: The building that housed all of the major newspaper headquarters during communism – a time when the press was under the complete control of a dictator.
- Primaverii Palace: Ceausescu’s residence.
- Revolution Square: Where the communist regime ended in 1989.