By Alexandru Patrascu

1. The Palace of the Parliament

The Palace of the Parliament was built by the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu (then known as the Palace of the People) and it is the second biggest building in the world after the Pentagon. The huge building hosts the Museum of Contemporary Art and Romania's Parliament.

2. Colleges and Universities

Romanian students are amongst the best in the world with lots of prizes won at International Science Olympiads. Today, in the capital there are 21 higher education institutes with nearly 100.000 students. Education is of the highest of standards in this country.

3. The Triumphal Arch

The first, wooden, triumphal arch was built hurriedly, after Romania gained its Independence from the Turks in 1878, so that the victorious troops could march under it. Another temporary arch was built on the same site, after World War I. The current arch was built in 1935 and has a height of 27 meters. Today, if you are lucky, you may get to propose to your sweetheart (and be accepted) on top of the Arch.

4. Gardens and Parks

People living in Bucharest have a wide variety of gardens to escape from every-day stress and enjoy nature. The Cismigiu Gardens are a public park near the center of the city, designed and built in 1845 by a German architect. The word "ci_migiu" reportedly comes from a Turkish word for a natural spring.

5. The Old Town

Lipscani is the main street of the old town of Bucharest and in the Middle Ages was the most important commercial center in the whole country. It was named after Leipzig ("Lipsca" in Romanian), as that was the origin of many of the wares that could be found in its little shops and street stalls. All trades were found in the area, including goldsmiths, hatters, shoemakers, tanners, saddlemakers, etc., many crafts having their own street.

6. The Romanian Athenaeum

The Romanian Athenaeum has hosted personalities like Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, Sergiu Celibidache among others since 1888, the year of its opening. The ornate, domed, circular building is the city's main concert hall and the home of the "George Enescu" Philharmonic. The overall style
is neoclassical, with some romantic touches. 

7. Night Life

Teenagers know how to have great fun in this city and it's no wonder with so many pubs and clubs. You can dance your pants off every day of the week from 10pm to 6am. Boredom is an unusual word amongst the youth of Romania. Take for example Club A founded by architecture students in a basement near the University.

8. Shopping 

Shopping in Bucharest is very affordable and of considerably high quality. You can find all the latest products on the market in Bucharest's shopping centers especially clothes 'cause teenagers love to keep up with the latest fashion trends. With such a variety of supermarkets, malls, shops and markets every need has an answer.

9. Football

We may not be the best at this game but we put a lot of heart into it. There are 5 premier division teams in Bucharest and every game between them is considered a derby. During a football game everything else is in the shade as everybody is caught up in the heat of the game. We take pride in the team of Steaua Bucharest winning the Champion's League back in 1986.

Alexandru Patrascu is studying medicine in Bucharest

Picture: Closeup of an eagle head froma scuplture dedicated to WWI heroes in Bucharest, Romania