Dear readers,
I would like to propose you an walking architectural tour in Cotroceni quarter, in its central part, encompassing the area between St Elefterie Str. and Dr. Lister Str. The tour is scheduled to take place this Saturday 3 May 2023, between 12.00h – 14.00h. This cultural excursion could be of interest to any of you visiting Romania’s capital as a tourist or on business, looking to understand the character of this metropolis through discovering its peculiar and fascinating old architecture.
The focus points of the central part of Cotroceni are its two parish churches, the Old St Elefterie, an edifice containing 18th c. Wallachian style architecture vestiges, serving now the deaf community, which sits on a former island in the marshes around the Dambovita river, before the quarter started to be developed in the second half of the 19th century, giving us an idea about the local environmental history, and the grand New St Elefterie church, designed by arch. Constantin Iotzu in the 1930s, in the Neoromanian style, its Byzantine persuasion variety, in a period of Romanian national triumphalism. The residential buildings date mostly from the interwar period, boasting some of the highest quality historic architecture of Romania’s capital, in styles ranging from Neoromanian, its mature and late phases, Art Deco, Modernism, and also Mediterranean, or interesting combinations between those designs. These houses were built by the professional classes of a then prosperous Romania, especially medical doctors, who have their alma mater, Bucharest Medical University, the largest and most prestigious such school in southeast Europe, close by, on the western side of Cotroceni. The houses are provided with gardens, often enclosed by fine ironwork fences and gates, and trees line up the streets, which make the area a pleasant place to live, create or visit. All of that highly enticing built heritage and the social history behind it, is waiting for you to discover as part of this Historic Houses of Romania cultural walk.
Book by emailing v.mandache@gmail.com or using the comments section of this post. The deadline for registrations: Friday 26 May, 20.00h (Bucharest hour). You will be informed of the meeting place after I receive the booking. Minimum three participants, maximum ten.
I look forward to seeing you at the tour,
Valentin Mandache, architectural historian, tel: 0040 (0)728323272
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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 Contact page of this weblog.
Valentin Mandache, architectural historian 