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Bucharest Communist History Walking Tour

Tour Snapshot

Romania’s communist past has shaped the life of its citizens and the aspect of its cities.

Join us on this tour and see for yourself all the ways in which communism has left its mark on Bucharest: from dormitory neighborhoods, to demolitions of historical areas, to entire churches moved on rail tracks, to the most important sites of recent history, such as the Palace of the People (Ceaușescu’s megalomaniac dream) and the square where the anti-communist Revolution started.

If this sounds good, then wait ’till you see the real deal. Until then, here are some highlights of this paticular tour:

  • discover the effects of communism on the city: demolitions of historical neighborhoods, the nationalization of all private properties, the constructions of dormitory neighborhoods and of the House of People (currently, the Parliament building)
  • see the second-largest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon
  • see a church that was moved using rail tracks to escape Ceaușescu’s wrath
  • visit the place where the Revolution in 1989 started, bringing about the fall of Romania’s last dictator
  • visit the site of Romania’s anti-communist protests in the 90s, which ended in bloodbath when miners attacked students
  • find out from our knowledgeable guides what everyday life was like in communism
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Language

English

Starting time

10:00

Duration

2 and a half hours

Meeting place

in front of the equestrian statue of Carol I (in the Revolution Square)

Group size

1 – 12

Distance

3.5 km

The Tour in Detail

The tour begins at Piața Revoluției (The Revolution Square), where you can see both the former building of the Royal Palace (the seat of Romania’s last king) and the former building of the Central Committee, the Communist Party’s leading organization. This is also where the Revolution in 1989 started, as Ceaușescu flying away in a helicopter from the roof of the Central Committee building is the last Bucharest saw of him.

The next stop is Piața 22 Decembrie (22nd December Square), the site of anticommunist protests in the 90s, and of bloody clashed between students and miners. It remains, to this day, a place for protests, free expression and holding our government accountable.

From here, we will continue to the historical old center, where you will be able to witness the effects of communist administrative measures on built heritage, and find out about everyday life during communism: food and electricity shortages, the black market, censorship and media control, the all-pervasive fear of Securitate (Romania’s KGB), anti-communist dissidents and communist prisons.

On through what survives of an old neighborhood demolished in order to build apartments for communist leaders, to a church that was put on rail tracks and moved by a couple of meters, out of the way of Ceaușescu’s mad urban planning. The tour ends at Piața Constituției (The Constitution Square), where you will have a chance to admire Ceaușescu’s megalomaniac dream, The House of People (currently the Parliament building), the second-largest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon.

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Additional Information

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, a traditionally Romanian snack.

Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping from the market, tips/gratuities for your guide.

Child Policy: Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour. Children over the age of 6 are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking.

Additional: We reserve the right to make changes to the route or the locations included in the tour in order to ensure the safety and quality of your experience.

Dietary Notes

We can adapt the snack to dietary needs, such as vegan, gluten intolerant or others. Also, please notify us in advance whether you have any allergies or sensitivities. You can do so in the “Additional Information” box at checkout.
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