Bucharest

Bucharest, city and municipality, the economic, administrative, and cultural centre of Romania. It lies in the middle of the Romanian plain, on the banks of the Dâmbovița, a small northern tributary of the Danube.

Although archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of settlements dating back to the Neolithic Period, the first written appearance of the name București dates from 1459, when it was recorded in a signed document of Vlad III (the Impaler), the ruler of Walachia. Vlad III built the fortress of Bucharest—the first of many fortifications—with the aim of holding back the Turks who were threatening the existence of the Walachian state.

Under the Ottoman suzerainty that was eventually established, Bucharest developed rapidly as the main economic centre of Walachia, becoming the capital in 1659. The names of some streets—Strada Blănarilor (“Furriers’ Lane”), Strada Șelarilor (“Saddlemakers’ Lane”), Strada Șepcarilor (“Capmakers’ Lane”)—testify to the emergence of guild organizations, and, during the reign (1688–1714) of Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu, large thoroughfares were built.

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After 1716, government was no longer in the hands of native princes but was controlled instead by Phanariotes (i.e., Greeks originating in the Phanar district of Constantinople). In 1821 Bucharest was the centre of a popular uprising, led by the Walachian national hero Tudor Vladimirescu, which ended Phanariote rule. Again, in 1848 and 1859, civic unrest in the city played a part in bringing about the union of Walachia and Moldavia, followed in 1862 by the proclamation of Bucharest as the capital of the Romanian state. These events, coupled with a land reform in 1864 and the final achievement of national independence in the war of 1877–78, gave a strong impetus to the economic development of both the country and its capital city.

After World War I, Bucharest strengthened its position as the most important city of a greatly enlarged country. Further growth took place after World War II, and, following the nationalization of business and industry beginning in 1948, this growth was characterized by large-scale projects and a marked architectural uniformity.

The modern city is characterized by a number of squares from which streets and boulevards radiate. The two chief streets, running roughly parallel through the centre of the city, are Calea Victoriei and Bulevardul Magheru. Bulevardul Unirii, formerly called, under communism, the “Boulevard of the Victory of Socialism,” was vastly expanded in the 1980s under the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and was bordered by such buildings as the palatial marble House of the People (Casa Poporului, now the Palace of the Parliament). About 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) of old Bucharest were razed to make room for the new palace and grand boulevard.

Republic Square—with the palace hall and the historical Crețulescu Church (1722)—is one of the most beautiful squares of the city. It is linked to Revolution Square (formerly Palace Square), which is surrounded by an imposing group of administrative, political, and cultural buildings including the Romanian Athenaeum, notable for its columned facade, and the former royal palace (now the National Art Museum).

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The city has a large number of churches, usually small, in Byzantine style. In addition to the Curtea Veche (Old Court) church (1559), the church of the former Antim Monastery (1715) and Stavropoleos church (1724) are of considerable architectural interest.

The most important centres for higher education are the Polytechnical University of Bucharest (founded 1818) and the University of Bucharest (founded 1864 from institutions dating to 1694). In addition, there are several academies in both arts and sciences, as well as numerous research institutes. Bucharest has three central libraries (the Library of the Romanian Academy, the National Library, and the Central University Library) and a large number of public library units.

Many of the city’s theatres—for example, the National Theatre “I.L. Caragiale” and the Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Romania—have long traditions. Bucharest is also the seat of a national philharmonic orchestra. Among the many museums are the Museum of the History of the City of Bucharest and the Art Museum of Romania, the latter maintaining large collections of national, European, and East Asian art. A highly original ethnographic collection, the Village Museum (1936), is made up of peasant houses brought from various parts of the country.

Manufactures include engineering products, notably machine tools and agricultural machinery, as well as electrical and automotive equipment, buses, trolleybuses, and a wide variety of other goods, including consumer goods. The city is served by an international airport at Otopeni and the smaller Băneasa Airport. Pop. (2011) 1,883,425; (2021 est.) 1,819,419.