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Romanian Athenaeum

In the XIV the century, after the political unity of the feudal states and the creation of Valachia, the small village on the shore of Dambovita river developed fast and becom a flourishing little town. Bucharest`s first documentary mentioning, dated September 20, 1459 was signed by the famous ruller Vlad the Impeller. Later on, in 1659, it effectively became the capital of Valachia, with a spectacular turn into a commercial,economic and cultural center.

In 1862, there years later after, Alexandru Ioan Cuza became the ruller of United Principalities ( Moldova and Romanian Country ), Bucharest became the capital of Romania

Remodeled, in the late 19 th centuries, by French architects, Bucharest even features a Triumphal Arch on the elegant Kiseleff Avenue, a boulevard longer that Paris' famed Champs-Elysees.

Communist rule interrupted Bucharest's cosmopolitan days. Many years after the overthrown of the communist regime, the "House of the People" — the world's second largest building after the US Pentagon — reminds Romanians of the communist years.

Bucharest is one of the few cities in east-central Europe with gambling. Many 18th and 19th Century palaces and mansions now house elegant beaux-arts casinos, where guests can play roulette, baccarat and other games of chance, dine on sumptuous buffets and dance all night to live music.

Today, Bucharest reflects an interesting heritage of mixed cultures influenced by: the old Romanian aristocracy educated in France, the German King Carol I, and the communist society. Known for its wide, elegant boulevards, beautiful Belle Époque buildings and a reputation for the high life, Romania's capital was once known as the "Little Paris. 

Bucharest has 37 museums, 22 theaters, opera house and concert halls, 18 art galleries, lots of libraries and bookstores.

Sights: Architecture of the Historic Center: Calea Victoriei, Piata Palatului, Bulevardul Bratianu, Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta, Strada Lispcani, Piata Romana, Piata Victoriei, Bulevardul Aviatorilor, Soseaua Kiseleff, Bulevardul Dacia, Muzeul Satului (Village Museum), Catedrala Patriarhala.

Parks: Cismigiu Park, Herastrau Lake.

Major museums in Bucharest include: National Museum of Art,
Art Collections Museum, Museum of the City of Bucharest, National History Museum, Cotroceni Palace Museum, City Museum of Astronomy, National Military Museum, Minovici Museum of Ancient Western Arts, Village Museum, Museum of the Romanian Peasant, Natural History Museum, Museum of the Romanian Music, History Museum of the Jewish Community, Museum of the Armenian Community.

Shopping: Bucharest Mall on Calea Vitan, Jolly Mall in Baneasa area, Mario Plaza; World Trade Plaza, Cora, Carefour Unirea market; Unirea Shopping Center is one of Romania's best shopping destinations, featuring more than 200 shops, boutiques, eating & leisure places.

Specialty Shops
The folk crafts such as embroidered clothing, hand painted Easter Eggs, pottery, carpets and carvings are top quality and good price. A popular place to buy Romanian goods is
the shops located in the Peasant Museum and the Village Museum.