Last Sunday, 12 June ’11, I organised a second architectural photography tour in Bucharest, this time in Mantuleasa historic quarter. The area is mostly residential and endowed with a very diverse and exuberant period architecture ranging from beautiful Brancovan style churches dating from the late c17th to picturesque French c19th historicist and Art Nouveau architecture to flamboyant inter-war Neo-Romanian and slender Art Deco and International Modernist style dwellings, all within the space of probably less than one square kilometre. A very small sample of the architectural photographs shot during that tour are presented in the above montage. The architectural mix of Mantuleasa, although is apparently exhilaratingly chaotic, it nevertheless follows certain unwritten trends that render its architectural and social history discernible to the visitor. I trust that under my expert guidance :), the participants at the tour have thus discovered some of the more intricate architectural puzzles of this fascinating corner of Bucharest, shot excellent architectural photographs and had a nice day out!
The next Sunday (19 June ’11, 9am-12.00) architectural photography tour will take place in Carol Park historic quarter, south central Bucharest (see a map at this link); meeting point: Tineretului tube station (outside southern exit, toward Tineretului Park). I look forward to seeing you there and go exploring this more than fascinating city corner!
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I endeavour through this series of periodic 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 or selling a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in sourcing and transacting the property, specialist research, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contactpage of this weblog.
Valentin Mandache, architectural historian 