Sibiu - Bohemian Atmosphere Behind Medieval Walls

"I wandered everywhere, through cities and countries wide. 

And everywhere I went, the world was on my side."

Roman Payne

MySpot: Summer Streets

"In the long dusks of summer we walked the suburban streets through scents of maple and cut grass, 

waiting for something to happen."

Steven Millhauser - Dangerous Laughter

Bucharest, Romania - The CEC Palace

The Savings Bank Palace (CEC Palace) is one of the one of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest. 

The institution of this historical savings bank was set up in 1864 by order of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, 

but given its rapid development, it soon became obvious the specific activities carried out by the savings bank 

could not be any longer accommodated by its former headquarters. 

This is why the authorities decided the construction of a new headquarters 

able to comply with the amplitude of the institution’s operations.

The construction works started in 1897, an event attended by King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth themselves, 

and the building was inaugurated in 1900. 

The French architect Paul Gottereau was in charge with the design, 

and he successfully lent a prominent French Renaissance style to the building, 

such that at present the CEC Palace is, without overstating, one of the most graciously beautiful buildings in Bucharest. 

The work of Paul Gottereau was complemented by the contribution of Ion Socolescu, 

a Romanian architect in charge with the execution of the works. 

A unique feature of this structure refers to the glass and metal dome 

(the main dome, and the largest of all the other cupolas which over-top the four corner sections of the building) 

set on top of the main hallway. 

The overall picture of the CEC Palace exudes, first and foremost, elegance and balance. 

The interior of the palace is embellished with pictorial works by Mihail Simonide. 

However, its aesthetic qualities aside,

 the CEC Palace is said to feature one of the most solid bearing structures of all the buildings in Bucharest, 

a reputation put to test, amongst others, during the 1977 earthquake, 

when the glass dome was the only element affected, with little and insignificant damage to the rest of the building.

Since the opening, the building was used by CEC Bank (the former state savings bank). 

In 2006 CEC Palace was sold to the municipality of Bucharest to host a museum.

Because the palace is still used as headquarter of CEC Bank, it cannot be visited entirely. 

You can only visit the CEC Museum located in the main hall of the building 

where you can admire the beauty of the interior 

and also some of the original documents of financial transactions from the early years of the bank, 

a collection of bank products since the 1880s until today, 

"piggy banks" and safes, postcards, badges, stamps, commemorative medals, etc.

France, Loire Valley - Tours

Tours is a city located in the west-central part of France. 

It is the administrative centre of the Indre-et-Loire department and the largest city in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France 

(although it is not the capital, which is the region's second-largest city, Orléans). 

Tours stands between Orléans and the Atlantic coast, and between two rivers, the Loire to the north and the Cher to the south, 

and it's famous for its many bridges crossing the river Loire. 

The city is called "Le Jardin de la France" ("The Garden of France"). 

The buildings of Tours are white with blue slate (called Ardoise) roofs; 

this style is common in the north of France, while most buildings in the south of France have terracotta roofs.

Tours is also the end-point of the annual Paris–Tours cycle race.

The surrounding district, the traditional province of Touraine, 

is known for its wines, for the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the Battle of Tours (732). 

Bucharest, Romania - The Romanian Athenaeum

The Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Român) is a concert hall in the center of Bucharest 

and a landmark of the Romanian capital city. 

Opened in 1888, the ornate, domed, circular building is the city's main concert hall 

and home of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and of the George Enescu annual international music festival.

The Romanian Athenaeum is an architectural jewel, 

the uniqueness and merits of which have been acknowledged by the fact 

the building was classified a historical monument in 2004 and as part of the European patrimony in 2007. 

Located on the Victory Avenue, the Romanian Athenaeum is a tourist sight, 

the importance of which does not come down exclusively to 

its being one of the most eye-catching architectural marvels of the capital, 

but also to the fact it is home to one of the oldest and most important cultural institutions in Bucharest, 

a major contributor to the artistic scene of Bucharest: the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. 

The Romanian Athenaeum was built between 1886 and 1888, 

designed to accommodate the specific activities carried out by the back then called the Romanian Philharmonic Society. 

The saying “Daţi un leu pentru Ateneu” (Give one leu for the Athenaeum) dates back to those times, 

since the building was erected at the initiative of Constantin Esarcu 

who made a public appeal for the raising of the necessary funds. 

The athenaeum was built on the already existing foundations of the riding school laid by the Romanian Equestrian Society.

The chief architect was a Frenchmen, Albert Galleron, 

who designed the building by following the useful guidelines provided by a team of Romanian architects. 

The circular shape of the structure is owed to the already laid out foundations,

but, instead of being a drawback, this feature ensures the originality and singularity of the edifice. 

The facade is guarded, so to say, by 6 monumental 12 meters high columns, 

and the entire structure is over-topped by a monumental dome which rises to 41 meters above the ground level.

Five medallions, each of them rendering the figure of a historical prince of the Romanian Principalities, decorate the peristyle.

The Romanian Athenaeum used to accommodate in the course of history a wide range of cultural activities, 

including exhibitions of paintings and sculptures, 

but given the fact the structure excels by its extraordinary acoustics, 

it became obvious the venue should be put to use chiefly to capitalize this wholesome feature. 

In time, the athenaeum was the launching and affirmation platform for countless figures 

who have contributed to the history of the Romanian music, 

and it was included in the concert tours of numerous international artists. 

At present time, the Romanian Athenaeum is one of the chief venues 

involved in organizing the celebrated George Enescu International Festival. 

It is, furthermore, opened to tourist visits. 

Bucharest, Romania - The Kretzulescu Palace

The Kretzulescu Palace (also spelled Cretulescu Palace) is a historic building next to the Cismigiu Gardens. 

It was built in the early 20th century (1902) under the supervision of Romanian architect Petre Antonescu, 

commissioned by Elena Crețulescu. 

The palace was built on the foundations of an older palace, which dates from the reign of Constantin Brâncoveanu. 

There are no traces of the old former structures, 

since the restoration works carried out by Antonescu have screened or completely removed the previous architectural elements. 

The new palace was built in the French Renaissance style and had Baroque influences. 

It originally functioned as the new Cretulescu family residence.

The palace was a Cretulescu family property until 1927, when Town Hall bought it from its owners. 

Since then, the palace has functioned as headquarter of various cultural and administrative institutions. 

Since 1972 it has been accommodating the headquarters of UNESCO-CEPES 

(UNESCO European Center of Higher Education - Centre Europeen pour l'enseignement superieur). 

Despite the fact the Kretzulescu Palace is not accessible to the visiting public, 

it does, however, stand as an architectural reference point in Bucharest.