I photographed the small flock of sparrows, seen above, during yesterday’s architectural history and photography tour, in front of the Beaux Arts and Art Nouveau styles Cantacuzino Palace on Calea Victoriei, Bucharest. The birds are like a messenger of the changing of seasons period going on now at this latitude, with the autumn starting to be felt all around here at forty five degree north in continental Europe. These are juvenile house sparrows (Passer domesticus) judging after their plumage and dusty sullied look. The second one, from the right, was loudly singing, in tone with the music festival hosted by the building 🙂 The huge stock of period houses in Bucharest, which are as a rule in a dreary state of repair, provide an excellent environment for these beautiful birds to nest and proliferate. They are thus an unassuming, but important part of city’s environmental identity, together with the crows or species of trees such as acacia or lime trees.
***********************************************
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.
***********************************************
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 Contact page of this weblog.
Valentin Mandache, architectural historian 