Palatul Suțu is one of Bucharest’s oldest aristocratic residences and one of the few buildings in the city that has remained unchanged for more than 150 years. The house hosts exhibitions on the history of Bucharest. In this way, it combines remarkable historical architecture with exhibitions on the city’s history. The Dâmbovița is also part of the cityscape: the river flows through Bucharest.
Residences and private lives
Another architectural trace leads to Casa Filipescu-Cesianu. It is one of the few aristocratic residences in Bucharest from the Belle Époque and has remained true to its original design. The museum in the house presents 300 years of family, childhood and private life—a different perspective from the urban history at Palatul Suțu. Parts of the grounds are used for recreation and leisure; they also include an exhibition space with a lapidarium. Events such as concerts and theatre performances are also held there. The specific cultural programmes may vary.
Museums: from city history to a treasure chamber
The National Museum of Romanian History houses more than 690,000 objects illustrating Romania’s history from the earliest times to the present day. In the lapidarium, 165 stone objects represent Romanian culture from historical and stylistic perspectives. The Tezaurul Istoric exhibition focuses on different materials: it displays more than 3,000 exceptional pieces made of precious metals and gemstones, including some unique items.
The museum’s own history also has a clear date: the “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum opened to the public on 17 May 1936. At Palatul Parlamentului, a guided tour takes visitors through four halls and provides access to the art and architecture collections presented there. These offer different perspectives side by side: the history of the country, selected objects, and art and architecture collections.
Green spaces with different focuses
Two themed trails in Văcărești Natural Park explore different aspects of the place: biodiversity and history. The park also provides habitat, resting, shelter and nesting conditions for more than 170 bird species. This means that both the area’s natural diversity and its history are among the subjects you can explore there.
The “Dimitrie Brandza” Botanical Garden covers 18.2 hectares and is divided into outdoor and indoor areas. Outdoors, these include areas for rare plants, the flora of Dobruja, a rosarium and an iridarium. Indoors, there are greenhouses, a herbarium, a library and a centre for ecological education. The inventory lists around 4,000 living plant taxa; the General Herbarium contains more than 520,000 specimens. Living plant collections and herbarium specimens thus form two distinct focuses of the garden.
Visiting and getting around
The Romanian Athenaeum can be visited on a tourist tour outside rehearsal and concert times. Access is via 1 Benjamin Franklin Street and requires the purchase of an admission ticket. As visiting hours and access conditions may change, check them before your visit. For groups, the Philharmonic may offer tours in Romanian or English by prior appointment.
BucharestCityTour offers a hop-on hop-off service with 15 stops where visitors can explore cafés and museums in Bucharest; one ticket allows flexible use. The number of stops and service details may change in future seasons. Check the current service information before planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Snagov, Bucharest, Voluntari, Arad, Satu Mare, Vaslui, Suceava, Botoșani.
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