Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania. It sits on the River Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania and has around 1.71 million people living in the city itself, with over 2 million in the surrounding area. It is the ninth most crowded city in the European Union and covers an area of 240 square kilometers.

The city was first recorded in 1459 and became an important place for trade and government in the 16th and 17th centuries. It grew quickly after becoming the capital in 1862 and was known for its mix of cultures and beautiful buildings, earning the nickname "Paris of the East". Sadly, it was damaged during the Second World War. Later, under a different government, the city expanded with new buildings and planning.

Today, Bucharest is a busy center for culture, politics, and the economy. It is one of the fastest-growing technology cities in Europe and attracts many visitors. The city is also known for its large convention centers, schools, cultural spots, and traditional shopping areas.

Etymology

The name Bucharest, known in Romanian as București, has several possible origins. One old story says it comes from a person named Bucur, who might have been a prince, an outlaw, a fisherman, a shepherd, or a hunter. In Romanian, the word bucurie means "joy" or "happiness," so Bucharest can be thought of as the "city of joy."

Other ideas about the city's name come from travelers and historians. An Ottoman traveler suggested the name might come from someone named "Abu-Kariș." An Austrian historian thought it was linked to words meaning "joyful." And an old book from Vienna guessed the name came from a beech forest called "Bukovie." In English, the city was once called Bukarest. Someone from Bucharest is called a "Bucharester."

History

Main article: History of Bucharest

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Bucharest.

Bucharest has gone through many changes from its early days until it became the capital of Romania in the late 1800s. It was first mentioned in 1459 and became an important place for rulers of Wallachia. Over time, it grew and became the permanent home for the royal court after 1698.

The city faced challenges like fires, natural disasters, and wars but kept rebuilding. In the 1800s, it became the capital after Romania was formed, and it started modernizing with new lights, transportation, and buildings. During World War II, it was damaged but recovered. In later years, especially after 1989, Bucharest has continued to grow and improve, with new developments and restored historic areas.

Treaties

The following treaties were signed in the city:

• Treaty of Bucharest (1812), between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire ending the Russo-Turkish War (1806–1812)
• Treaty of Bucharest (1886), between Serbia and Bulgaria ending the Serbian–Bulgarian War
• Treaty of Bucharest (1913), between Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and Greece ending of the Second Balkan War
• Treaty of Bucharest (1916), a treaty of alliance between Romania and the Entente Powers
• Treaty of Bucharest (1918), between Romania and the Central Powers

Geography

The city of Bucharest is located along the banks of the Dâmbovița River, which flows into the Argeș River. Several lakes, such as Lake Herăstrău and Lake Cișmigiu, add green spaces to the city. These lakes and parks, like Herăstrău Park and Tineretului Park, offer places for people to relax and enjoy nature.

Bucharest sits in the middle of the Romanian Plain and is often said to be built on seven hills, similar to Rome. The city covers an area of 226 km² and has a varied altitude. Around Bucharest, many new suburbs have grown since 1989, especially in the nearby Ilfov County.

Climate

Bucharest has hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Winter temperatures often drop below 0 °C (32 °F), sometimes even to −10 °C (14 °F). In summer, average high temperatures are around 29.8 °C (85.6 °F), and it can get very warm, often reaching 35 to 40 °C (95 to 104 °F) in the middle of summer. Rain can happen, especially in spring and autumn, when temperatures are usually between 17 and 22 °C (63 and 72 °F).

Government

Bucharest has a special role in Romania's government because it is not part of any county, unlike other cities. The city is led by a general mayor, currently Ciprian Ciucu, and decisions are made by a General Council with 55 elected members. Bucharest is divided into six sectors, each with its own mayor and local council. These sectors help manage everyday services like schools and local streets.

The city's justice system includes local courts in each sector, a main tribunal, and higher courts for serious cases. Bucharest also has its own police force to keep the city safe. While some areas have more petty crimes like pickpocketing, the city is considered safe compared to many other European capitals. Despite challenges in city management and green spaces, Bucharest offers many parks and cultural attractions.

Demographics

Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, had 1,716,961 people living within its city limits in 2021. This number is smaller than in 2011 because many people moved to smaller towns around the city.

The city grew quickly in two main periods: first in the late 1800s when it became the capital, and again from 1965 to 1989 when many people moved from rural areas to the city. Most people in Bucharest live in tall apartment buildings built during that time.

About 97.3% of the people in Bucharest are Romanian. Other groups include Romani, Hungarians, Turks, Jews, Germans, Chinese, Russians, Ukrainians, Italians, Greeks, Armenians, and many more. Most people in Bucharest are Romanian Orthodox Christian.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Bucharest

Bucharest is very important for Romania's economy. It helps make a lot of the country’s money and creates many jobs. People in Bucharest often work in offices, shops, and technology companies.

The city has many big stores and tall buildings. Famous companies like Amazon and Microsoft have offices here. Bucharest is also known for being fast with internet speeds!

Transport

Bucharest is crossed by two major international routes: Pan-European transport corridor IV and IX.

Public transport

Main article: Transport in Bucharest

Bucharest's public transport system is the largest in Romania and one of the largest in Europe. It includes the Bucharest Metro, run by Metrorex, as well as buses, trams, trolleybuses, and light rail operated by STB. There is also a private minibus system. The metro has five lines (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5), with M1 being the oldest, opened in 1979, and M5 the newest, opened in 2020. A sixth line, M6, is under construction.

Railways

Bucharest is the hub of Romania's national railway network, run by Căile Ferate Române. The main station is Gara de Nord ('North Station'), connecting to major cities in Romania and international destinations like Belgrade, Sofia, and Vienna. Other important stations include Basarab, Obor, Băneasa, and Progresul.

Air

• Henri Coandă International Airport is the busiest airport in Romania, located north of the city centre.
• Aurel Vlaicu International Airport serves business and VIP flights and is closer to the city centre.

Roads

Bucharest is a key point in Romania's national road network. Major motorways like the A1, A2 Sun Motorway, and A3 connect the city to other parts of Romania and nearby countries. The city has many busy roads, especially during rush hours, and has many boulevards and ring roads to help manage traffic.

Water

Although Bucharest is on a river, it has never been a port city. Other cities like Constanța and Galați serve as Romania's main ports. There are plans to finish the Danube-Bucharest Canal to connect Bucharest to the Danube River.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Romania

Bucharest has a lively cultural scene with activities in visual arts, performing arts, and nightlife. Unlike other parts of Romania, such as the Black Sea coast or Transylvania, Bucharest's culture mixes Romanian and international influences.

Landmarks

Bucharest has many famous buildings and monuments. One of the most well-known is the Palace of the Parliament, built in the 1980s. It is the largest Parliament building in the world and includes the Romanian Parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate, and the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The palace also has one of the biggest convention centers in the world.

Another famous landmark is the Arcul de Triumf ("The Triumphal Arch"), built in 1935 and inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. A newer landmark is the Memorial of Rebirth, a marble pillar unveiled in 2005 to remember those who suffered during the Romanian Revolution of 1989. The Romanian Athenaeum is a symbol of Romanian culture and has been a European Heritage site since 2007. It was built between 1886 and 1888.

InterContinental Bucharest is a luxury hotel near University Square, known for its unique city views. The House of the Spark is a building that looks like the Lomonosov Moscow State University. Built between 1952 and 1957, it was meant to show off the new government and its ideas. Other cultural places include the National Museum of Art of Romania, Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History, Museum of the Romanian Peasant, National History Museum, and the Military Museum.

Visual arts

Bucharest has many museums with art. The National Museum of Art of Romania is in the royal palace and shows both Romanian and international art. Other smaller museums have special collections, like the Zambaccaian Museum with works by famous artists. The Gheorghe Tattarescu Museum shows portraits of important Romanian figures. The Theodor Pallady Museum has works by Romanian painter Theodor Pallady. The National Museum of Contemporary Art in the Palace of the Parliament opened in 2004 and shows modern Romanian and international art.

Performing arts

Bucharest is strong in performing arts. The National Radio Orchestra of Romania is famous, and the neoclassical Romanian Athenaeum hosts concerts and the George Enescu Festival. The city is home to the Romanian National Opera and the I.L. Caragiale National Theatre. Other theaters include the State Jewish Theatre, Comedy Theatre, Nottara Theatre, Bulandra Theatre, Odeon Theatre, and the revue theatre of Constantin Tănase.

Music and nightlife

Bucharest is home to many musicians and music labels. Popular bands from the 1970s and 1980s, like Iris and Holograf, are still loved. Since the 1990s, hip-hop has grown, with groups like B.U.G. Mafia, Paraziții, and La Familia. The pop-rock band Taxi and Spitalul de Urgență mix traditional Romanian music with new styles. Bucharest has many types of music, from manele in neighborhood discos to jazz, blues, house music/trance, and heavy metal/punk. Jazz grew after 2002 with venues like Green Hours and Art Jazz.

Cultural events and festivals

Bucharest has many cultural festivals, especially in June, July, and August. The National Opera holds the International Opera Festival each May and June. The Romanian Athaeneum Society hosts the George Enescu Festival every two years in September. The Museum of the Romanian Peasant and the Village Museum hold events all year. In 2005, Bucharest had its first Chinese New Year festival. In 2004, Bucharest started the Bucharest International Film Festival. Since 2005, it has had the Bucharest Biennale for contemporary art.

Traditional culture

Traditional Romanian culture is strong in Bucharest. The Museum of the Romanian Peasant and the open-air Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum show Romanian life and customs. The Museum of the Romanian Peasant was named European Museum of the Year in 1996. The Museum of Romanian History has items from Romanian history and culture.

Religion

Bucharest is important for several religions. It is the home of the leader of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The city also has the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest and the Romanian Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Saint Basil the Great. There are also synagogues, like the Choral Temple of Bucharest and the Great Synagogue of Bucharest. Plans for a large mosque were stopped, but smaller mosques exist.

Architecture

Bucharest has many different kinds of buildings. You can see old styles like medieval, neoclassical, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau mixed together in the city centre. There are also modern buildings from the 1920s and 1930s, and some big, useful buildings from the time when Romania was ruled by communists.

The city has special areas with older buildings, like the Lipscani area, which was once the busy centre of Bucharest. Some old buildings there were saved, even though many were lost when leaders wanted to change the city. In the 2000s, this area was fixed up and made beautiful again.

During the time when Romania was ruled by communists, many old buildings were torn down to make space for big apartment blocks and very large buildings, like the Palace of the Parliament. After this time ended in 1989, many of these old buildings were changed into new uses, like shopping malls and hotels.

Today, Bucharest has many new, tall buildings made of glass and steel, especially in the north and east parts of the city. These new buildings show how the city is growing and changing.

Education

Bucharest has many universities, with 16 public ones and 19 private ones. Some of the biggest public universities are the University of Bucharest, the Politehnica University of Bucharest, and the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. There are also over 450 public primary and secondary schools in the city. The first modern school in Bucharest was founded in 1694, and it later became the University of Bucharest and the Saint Sava National College.

The city also has many scientific sections of the Romanian Academy.

University of Bucharest (UB)

[Central University Library](/wiki/Central_University_Library,_Bucharest)

[Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies](/wiki/Bucharest_Academy_of_Economic_Studies) (ASE)

University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMFCD)

Media

Bucharest has modern phone and internet services. You can find post offices all over the city, with the main one on Matei Millo Street. There are also public phones operated by Telekom Romania.

The city is home to many TV channels, newspapers, radio stations, and news websites. Some of the biggest newspapers include Evenimentul Zilei, Jurnalul Național, Cotidianul, România Liberă, and Adevărul. Popular news websites include HotNews, Ziare.com, and Gândul.

Many media buildings are important landmarks in Bucharest. The House of the Free Press and Palatul Telefoanelor are two famous examples. There are also English-language newspapers like the Bucharest Daily News and Nine O' Clock, as well as magazines in other languages.

Visit Bucharest Today is an online guide for tourists, sharing the city's history, landmarks, and fun activities.

Healthcare

Bucharest has many modern hospitals. One of the most modern is Colțea Hospital, which received a big update in 2011 after getting 90 million euros for improvements. Colțea specializes in treating serious illnesses like cancer and heart problems. It was first built between 1701 and 1703.

Another hospital is Pantelimon, started in 1733. It covers a large area and includes special buildings for different health needs. Other hospitals in Bucharest include the Bucharest Emergency Hospital, Floreasca Emergency Clinic Hospital, Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, and private clinics like Fundeni Clinical Institute, Biomedica International, and Euroclinic.

Sports

Football is very popular in Bucharest, and the city has many teams, including Steaua București, Dinamo București, Rapid București, and FCSB.

A big stadium called the Arena Națională opened in 2011. It can hold more than 55,000 people and has a roof over it. People play many sports in Bucharest, such as handball, water polo, volleyball, rugby union, basketball, and ice hockey. There are also many athletes in track and field and gymnastics who train in the city. The largest indoor arena is the Romexpo Dome, which can seat 40,000 people and is used for many sports.

Bucharest has also hosted car races, tennis tournaments, and even a big soccer championship called the UEFA Euro 2020, which happened in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Romania

Bucharest has friendly relationships with many cities around the world. Some of these cities include:

• Amman, Jordan
• Ankara, Turkey
• Athens, Greece
• Athens, Georgia, United States
• Beijing, China
• Chișinău, Moldova
• Damascus, Syria
• Kyiv, Ukraine
• Lagos, Nigeria
• Moscow, Russia
• Nicosia, Cyprus
• Pretoria, South Africa
• Regina, Canada
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Sofia, Bulgaria
• Tbilisi, Georgia

Bucharest also has a partnership with:

• Yerevan, Armenia (since 2013)