Bucharest Again

9-11 May 2006

Another quick trip found me back in Bucharest for meetings. It was mostly work, but I DID manage to walk beyond the "The People's House" and to a monastary hidden away in the local side streets. The Parliament Palace (or "People's House") is the largest building in the world, second only to the U.S. Pentagon building. This controversial building was intended to concentrate all the government departments on one site, within easy reach of the dictator, Ceausescu, who intended to also live there. It was constructed 1984-1988, is 80 meters and covers over 60,000 square meters. I didn't get a chance to tour the inside, but would have loved to have seen the TONS of chrystal chandeliers! The Romanians revolted against Ceausescu and after 1990 the building became first the Republic Palace and then the Parliament Palace as it is known today (see top right pic).

Tucked in between modern buildings, a walled compound hides this beautiful monastary. Antim Monastary is named for the artist and man of the cloth, Antim Ivireanul (1660-1716), who built the church. I didn't go inside and tried to stay out of the way as the bells were tolling and people were bowing and praying in front of the church and on the portico. Imagine my surprise as a man in robes and long beard appeared from behind the church, beating a long paddle in a catchy rythm, and started walking towards me! He finally led the faithful inside, as I slipped quietly through the arched gate and back out to the streets. Lovely!

Wish you'd been there!

-Tiffany