Carol I Park, Bucharest

1. Main entrance

On a sunny late February Saturday in the year 2021, my brother and my children and I headed to this green place in Bucharest. We met at the main entrance, where a few flags are raised. In front opens the central alley of the park, at the end of which stand out mausoleum. The main alley is flanked by two other wide alleys, narrower than the main one, along which benches are placed for resting your feet.

2. Statue of Dr. Constantin Istrati

I suggest you to start the walk on the right of the alley on the right, because there is another way to walk there too. Right where this alley begins is statue of Dr. Constantin Istrati and a playground for ages 2+. We start with a break on a bench while our girls frolic around. The statue was originally placed in the Roman Arenas area, then moved near the main entrance. It is made of bronze by sculptor Spaethe. The monument was erected after several prominent 20th century Romanians, including Titeica and Racovita, initiated a public appeal 9 years after the professor's death. The statue depicts the professor "in class". Istrati (1850-1918) was a university professor, member of the Romanian Academy, minister and mayor of Bucharest and commissioner for the organization of the park inaugurated in 1906.

3. George Cantacuzino Fountain

We continue along the tree-shaded path and stop to admire George Cantacuzino Fountain. We found the fountain dry, perhaps because we were still on the border between winter and spring. The monument was built in neoclassical style in 1870 at the expense of the then mayor Gheorghe Cantacuzino, by the architect Freiwald and the sculptor Storck. The fountain is situated on the site where before it there was another monumental fountain, the Fountain on Filaret Hill. Its water was once drinkable. It reminded me of my visit to Rome.

4. Lake Carol

At the first larger intersection we have the option to turn left to get back on the central axis of the park from where we can admire the lake, the long bridge that crosses it and the stairs that go up to the mausoleum. Another option is to continue forward to the Arenele Romane. We will do 2 laps of the park, so first we head left and then right towards the end of the lake and the beginning of the bridge. There are several kiosks in the park where you can buy cotton candy, popcorn, freshers, ice cream, souvenirs and more. I appreciate the cleanliness found in the park and the public restrooms.

5. Monument to the Unknown Hero

We cross the bridge, climb the stairs and reach the Monument of Unknown Hero (Ostasului). It is erected by the sculptor E. W. Becker in memory of the 225,000 Romanian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the First World War. The inauguration in 1923 was attended by the royal family. This monument was moved in 1958 to Marasesti to make room for the Monument to the heroes of the struggle for socialism. In 1991, Monument to the Unknown Hero was returned to Carol I Park. It is listed as a historical monument. The flame that burns here forever and the tomb are permanently guarded by 2 soldiers. The living flame here reminded us of our recent visit to The Living Fire of Andreiasu de Jos.

We are at the base Mausoleumanother symbol of this park, which we will surround and we will find that access to its vicinity is forbidden, including to the tombs that surround it. It is a pity that this objective is not exploited by opening the possibility of visiting it, the location of museum objects, historical films, which could have an educational role for children and would attract Romanian and foreign tourists. The Mausoleum, named in years of sad memory Monument to the heroes of the struggle for the freedom of the people and the party, for socialism, has housed the bones of some of the most prominent communist names. The mausoleum is imposing and visible from a distance, being located at the top of Filaret hill.

6. Vlad Tepes Castle

After surrounding the mausoleum, we go down to the other side of the lake next to a beautiful tower-castle, which houses National Office for the Cult of Heroes. Initially here was Water Tower "The Fortress of Tepes Voda" or Vlad Tepes Castle. It was built in 1906. The access to the castle is not from the park, what a pity, but from Candiano Popescu street. The ensemble is a smaller scale copy of the Poenari Fortress (AG), built by Vlad Tepes. The purpose of the water tower was actually a fire-fighting unit.

7. Dimitrie Leonida National Technical Museum

We continued downhill to a bridge, at the bottom of which we went down a path to admire the ducks and geese on the lake. We met other playgrounds and we kept the inner side alley of the park on the flank of Candianu Popescu street, which at one point passes by Dimitrie Leonida National Technical Museum. It exists since 1909 and bears the name of the man who founded it. At least from the outside the museum looks pretty bad. I remember visiting it with school some ... many years ago. It's a museum that should be popularized because it is a treasure for children's education. It certainly has to keep up with the times and the demands of a modern museum. Eu cred ca daca ar intra intraman pe maini iscusite ar putea avea foarte mulți vizitatori romani si străini. It has an entrance near the main entrance to the park.

8. Roman Arenas

A lap of about 2,5 km. We start a new lap of the park, choosing other alleys, in order to reach the Arenelor Romane area, which I mentioned, located on the side of the street on the side of Silver Knife. Roman Arenas are an architectural masterpiece forgotten in recent years. Since 1906 it has stood here thanks to architect Negrescu and engineer George Constantinescu. It has hosted many open-air performances. I remember with great fondness a concert given by the sacred monsters of rock music in our country. The magnificent building cannot be immortalized in its splendor outside in the park. Its grandeur can only be admired if you cross the threshold and find yourself "in the arena". Now closed. It is now owned by a musician and in a state of serious disrepair. I weep at how we (don't) know how to preserve what our ancestors passed down to us and give to the generations that come after us. Another space that could have admirers and visitors and could also produce money.

9. Fountain 1906

On the way back to the main entrance we pass by Fantana 1906. It is built in Italian style, it is 4 meters high, I like it, even if it is much simpler than the Cantacuzino Fountain. It is located on the same side of the park.