Romania old photos
Romania
The Grand Bazaar, 1944
The Grand Bazaar, 1944
The Path of the Elders, Olari Street, 1986
A 1986 Bucharest propaganda poster commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Romanian Communist Party features slogans like "Ceaușescu Era," "The Party Ceaușescu Romania," and the party's initials, PCR. The Romanian Communist-era flag is also displayed.
A 1986 Bucharest propaganda poster commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Romanian Communist Party features slogans like "Ceaușescu Era," "The Party Ceaușescu Romania," and the party's initials, PCR. The Romanian Communist-era flag is also displayed.
Plant "Electrosila", 1976-1977
Sugar factory in Buzau, 1976-1977
Nicolae Balcescu Boulevard, 1981
Across the street from the National Theater, towards the Faculty of Architecture, the Dunarea II building rises imposingly over a place cleansed by history.
Across the street from the National Theater, towards the Faculty of Architecture, the Dunarea II building rises imposingly over a place cleansed by history.
Strada Edgar Quinet, 1980
View of Edgar Quinet Street from the National Theater square. The abundance of flags and portraits of the Republic's first President suggests it's August 23rd, a national holiday during the communist era.
View of Edgar Quinet Street from the National Theater square. The abundance of flags and portraits of the Republic's first President suggests it's August 23rd, a national holiday during the communist era.
National Theatre Bucharest, 1978
Bucharest National Theater.
Bucharest National Theater.
Boulevard 1848, 1978
The perspective of 1848 Boulevard, Nicolae Bălcescu Square, and Bălcescu and Magheru Boulevards, leading to Romana Square. The Intercontinental Hotel significantly diminishes the former grandeur of the "Creditul Minier" building, once the area's prominent landmark. The disappearance of the tram tracks is also notable.
The perspective of 1848 Boulevard, Nicolae Bălcescu Square, and Bălcescu and Magheru Boulevards, leading to Romana Square. The Intercontinental Hotel significantly diminishes the former grandeur of the "Creditul Minier" building, once the area's prominent landmark. The disappearance of the tram tracks is also notable.
Intercontinental Hotel, 1977
Intercontinental Hotel, viewed from the traffic circle in Nicolae Bălcescu Square.
Intercontinental Hotel, viewed from the traffic circle in Nicolae Bălcescu Square.
Nicolae Balcescu Boulevard, 1977
A significant portion of the Dunarea building collapsed during the March 4, 1977, earthquake, which caused widespread damage and numerous casualties in Bucharest. Enei Church, undamaged by the earthquake, was unnecessarily demolished along with the building's remains on Ceausescu's orders.
A significant portion of the Dunarea building collapsed during the March 4, 1977, earthquake, which caused widespread damage and numerous casualties in Bucharest. Enei Church, undamaged by the earthquake, was unnecessarily demolished along with the building's remains on Ceausescu's orders.
Nicolae Balcescu Square, 1976
Nicolae Balcescu Square, aerial view, featuring the National Theatre, Opera House, and Intercontinental Hotel, built on the site of the former City Hall Square.
Nicolae Balcescu Square, aerial view, featuring the National Theatre, Opera House, and Intercontinental Hotel, built on the site of the former City Hall Square.
View from Intercontinental Hotel, 1975
View from the Intercontinental Hotel of Nicolae Bălcescu Square and 1848 Boulevard (Brătianu), looking south. Interestingly, the foundations of Colței Tower were marked on the roadway in front of Sutu Palace, providing the location for the earliest photographs of the square, taken in 1864.
View from the Intercontinental Hotel of Nicolae Bălcescu Square and 1848 Boulevard (Brătianu), looking south. Interestingly, the foundations of Colței Tower were marked on the roadway in front of Sutu Palace, providing the location for the earliest photographs of the square, taken in 1864.
Nicolae Balcescu Boulevard, 1974-1975
Traffic on Balcescu Boulevard near University Square, pedestrians crossing at the Batistei Street intersection. Coltea Hospital is visible in the background.
Traffic on Balcescu Boulevard near University Square, pedestrians crossing at the Batistei Street intersection. Coltea Hospital is visible in the background.
Nicolae Balcescu Boulevard, 1974
View from the new Intercontinental Hotel towards what is now the fountain area at the University of Architecture. Edgar Quinet Street is already blocked at the Balcescu Boulevard end, but an underground entrance is visible near the Dunarea building.
View from the new Intercontinental Hotel towards what is now the fountain area at the University of Architecture. Edgar Quinet Street is already blocked at the Balcescu Boulevard end, but an underground entrance is visible near the Dunarea building.
Nicolae Balcescu Boulevard, 1974
Bălcescu Boulevard. The "Dunărea" building (left) was demolished after the devastating earthquake of March 4, 1977. To its right stood the Enei Basilica, which was also destroyed.
Bălcescu Boulevard. The "Dunărea" building (left) was demolished after the devastating earthquake of March 4, 1977. To its right stood the Enei Basilica, which was also destroyed.
Nicolae Balcescu Square, 1973-1974
View towards University Square, with the former "Creditul Industrial" and "Generala" buildings. In the foreground, the National Theatre passage exit, and in the mid-ground, a surprise: the roundabout has returned! Of course, without any statue that might offend the socialist order of Romania at the time.
View towards University Square, with the former "Creditul Industrial" and "Generala" buildings. In the foreground, the National Theatre passage exit, and in the mid-ground, a surprise: the roundabout has returned! Of course, without any statue that might offend the socialist order of Romania at the time.
National Theatre Bucharest, 1973
Bucharest's National Theatre in University Square, a striking, almost alien structure contrasting sharply with the city's traditional architecture. Photo taken from the newly opened Nicolae Balcescu underpass near Coltea Hospital.
Bucharest's National Theatre in University Square, a striking, almost alien structure contrasting sharply with the city's traditional architecture. Photo taken from the newly opened Nicolae Balcescu underpass near Coltea Hospital.
Nicolae Balcescu Square, 1971-1973
Nicolae Balcescu Square is being redesigned alongside new construction projects. Excavation has begun for an underpass to accommodate pedestrian traffic, thus improving vehicle flow. The view is along Republic Boulevard towards Rosetti Square.
Nicolae Balcescu Square is being redesigned alongside new construction projects. Excavation has begun for an underpass to accommodate pedestrian traffic, thus improving vehicle flow. The view is along Republic Boulevard towards Rosetti Square.
Nicolae Balcescu Square, 1969-1970
Major changes are underway in the city square. The former recreation area has been completely demolished, making way for the new National Theatre. Bucharest hasn't had a dedicated National Theatre building since 1944, when the old one on Calea Victoriei was destroyed by German bombing.
Major changes are underway in the city square. The former recreation area has been completely demolished, making way for the new National Theatre. Bucharest hasn't had a dedicated National Theatre building since 1944, when the old one on Calea Victoriei was destroyed by German bombing.
Nicolae Balcescu Square, 1966
A view along Republic Boulevard showcasing the University in all its glory. Wait! Something's missing! The central section (the old Academy) is gone, destroyed in the 1944 bombings. It would be rebuilt in the early 1970s. The roundabout at the intersection is also absent from the photo.
A view along Republic Boulevard showcasing the University in all its glory. Wait! Something's missing! The central section (the old Academy) is gone, destroyed in the 1944 bombings. It would be rebuilt in the early 1970s. The roundabout at the intersection is also absent from the photo.
Boulevard 1848, 1966
Street sweepers in front of Coltea Hospital, University Square in the background. Cobblestones are still present on some sections of what is now Bratianu Boulevard.
Street sweepers in front of Coltea Hospital, University Square in the background. Cobblestones are still present on some sections of what is now Bratianu Boulevard.
Nicolae Balcescu Square, 1965
View towards Romana Square along Balcescu and Magheru Boulevards (formerly Take Ionescu Boulevard). In the right foreground, the recreational area with restaurants and pubs – the site of the 2012 protests.
View towards Romana Square along Balcescu and Magheru Boulevards (formerly Take Ionescu Boulevard). In the right foreground, the recreational area with restaurants and pubs – the site of the 2012 protests.
Boulevard 1848, 1964
View from Bratianu Boulevard over Balcescu Square towards Romana Square. The communist regime demolished the Bratianu monument and transformed the roundabout into a mundane intersection. The tram line along the east-west axis (Republic Boulevard) was also removed.
View from Bratianu Boulevard over Balcescu Square towards Romana Square. The communist regime demolished the Bratianu monument and transformed the roundabout into a mundane intersection. The tram line along the east-west axis (Republic Boulevard) was also removed.
Nicolae Balcescu Boulevard, 1956
Future site of the InterContinental Hotel and National Theatre esplanade.
Future site of the InterContinental Hotel and National Theatre esplanade.
Nicolae Balcescu Boulevard, 1955
View along Nicolae Bălcescu Boulevard (formerly Bratianu Boulevard). On the left, the Dunărea building and Enei Church, and on the right, at the intersection with Batiștei Street, the former "Creditul Minier" building. Also visible on the right are the houses that would later be replaced by the Intercontinental Hotel.
View along Nicolae Bălcescu Boulevard (formerly Bratianu Boulevard). On the left, the Dunărea building and Enei Church, and on the right, at the intersection with Batiștei Street, the former "Creditul Minier" building. Also visible on the right are the houses that would later be replaced by the Intercontinental Hotel.
University Square, 1949
The tram enters Nicolae Bălcescu Square (formerly Bratianu Square) from Republicii Boulevard (formerly Carol I Boulevard), still cobbled, passing between two landmark buildings: the former Ministry of War (on the left) and the former Ministry of Domains, which became the Superior Council of Agriculture of the People's Republic of Romania.
The tram enters Nicolae Bălcescu Square (formerly Bratianu Square) from Republicii Boulevard (formerly Carol I Boulevard), still cobbled, passing between two landmark buildings: the former Ministry of War (on the left) and the former Ministry of Domains, which became the Superior Council of Agriculture of the People's Republic of Romania.
Boulevard 1848 in 1966, 1966
1848 Boulevard in 1966. Baratia Church tower is prominent, with St. George's Church in the background.
1848 Boulevard in 1966. Baratia Church tower is prominent, with St. George's Church in the background.
Curtea de Argeș Monastery, 1900-1920
The Episcopal Cathedral of Curtea de Argeș is a 16th-century Orthodox cathedral, the main church of Wallachia.
The Episcopal Cathedral of Curtea de Argeș is a 16th-century Orthodox cathedral, the main church of Wallachia.
Scala Cinema, Bucharest, 1944
Bucharest, liberated by the Soviet Army.
Bucharest, liberated by the Soviet Army.