More often than not the police stations everywhere in the world occupy drab old buildings or nondescript modern utilitarian edifices. That is also the case in Romania with its large collection of low quality concrete post-war buildings designed for state institutions’ use, police stations among them, or edifices that sprang up during the post-communist period craze for grand glass and aluminium structures lacking proportions and out of context with the surrounding architecture. I recently found and exception from that rule in an attractive police station building in Neo-Romanian style, pictured above, dating from the 1930s. It is from an era when the architecture and urban planning in Bucharest and Romania were developing on a more organic basis that paid attention to traditions and the needs of the local community, in sharp contrast with the nowadays situation. The edifice is also fittingly located on Ion Mincu Street, named after the seminal architect who initiated the Neo-Romanian style in late 1880s. This is, in my opinion, the most beautiful building occupied by a police station in Romania. If the readers know of other comparable examples, I am then very curios to find out and notify them on this blog!
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I endeavor through this daily series of images and small articles to inspire appreciation of the historic houses of Romania, a virtually undiscovered, but fascinating chapter of European architectural history and heritage.
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If you plan acquiring a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in sourcing the property, specialist research, planning permissions, restoration project management, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contactpage of this weblog.
Valentin Mandache, architectural historian 