Bucharest

We visited Bucharest in 2008. The most notable site is the Palace of the Parliament which is the second largest building in the world. It was built by Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu in the 1980s and houses the Romanian Parliament as well as one of the largest convention centers in the world. The interior is well worth a tour with marble and crystal chandeliers that are reminiscent of royal palaces. There are several other notable sites to visit as well, like the Romanian Athenaeum concert hall, with the topiary of the piano player in front or the open air Village Museum with houses from all over Romania. There is Revolutionary Square with its memorial to those that died in the revolution as well as the Kretzulescu Church at the corner of the square. The other church to see is the Patriarchal Cathedral and Palace Complex which is quite extensive.