The Blue and Bright

"There is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. 

I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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.

MySpot: Conquering Summer

"Just feel the magic in the air and the power in the breeze, 

Feel the energy of the plants, the bushes and the trees, 

Let yourself be surrounded by nature at its best, 

Calm yourself, focus and let magic do the rest."

Sally Walker

MySpot: I Was Surrounded by Nature

"Plants cry their gratitude for the sun in green joy."

Terri Guillemets

France, Loire Valley - Château de Villandry VII (Gardens)

The Château of Villandry, in the Centre Val de Loire region, is a Renaissance château especially known for its beautiful gardens. 

Keen on architecture, Jean Le Breton was also interested in the art of gardening. 

Times had changed. 

Feudal fortresses made way for delicate chateaux, 

ramparts became walls which now allowed one to gaze out over the surrounding landscape, 

the enclosed, utilitarian gardens of the Middle Ages made way for ornamental gardens, 

in a gentle transition between the house and its natural setting. 

Villandry was no exception to the new fashion. 

At the foot of the chateau, overlooking the River Cher, gardens were laid 

and their splendor already earned the estate a reputation outside the Loire Valley.

The acquisition of Villandry by Joachim Carvallo marked a return to their roots for the gardens. 

Already known for their beauty in the Renaissance, different owners successively transformed them, 

now into a formal garden, now a romantic garden. 

With a scientist’s meticulousness, Carvallo recreated gardens that were worthy of the restored chateau.

Ever since the construction of the Chateau of Villandry in 1532, outstanding gardens have embellished the building. 

The passage of time and changing fashions meant they underwent drastic changes in appearance. 

Archeological findings tell us how, in the Renaissance, there was a decorative kitchen garden at close proximity to the chateau.

In the 18th century, the grounds were enlarged and enriched with a formal garden, 

then an ornamental lake in the shape of a Louis XV mirror. 

France, Loire Valley - Château de Villandry VI (The Interior)

Villandry is one of the great chateaux built on the banks of the Loire during the Renaissance.

With its unique furnishings, décor and atmosphere, the Château de Villandry is a living testimony of French heritage. 

When Jean Le Breton acquired the Villandry estate, the building was a Medieval fortress. 

The defensive architecture was pared down, opened up and enhanced with elements of Renaissance décor. 

In the 18th century, the Marquis de Castellane moved into Villandry and made some major changes 

to transform the building into a warm, bright and comfortable home that reflected the art of living at that time. 

By the end of the 19th century the estate had fallen into disuse 

and was saved from dereliction by Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman, 

who in turn undertook a campaign of restoration to return it to its Renaissance state. 

Henri Carvallo, the current owner of Villandry, is following in the footsteps of his ancestors 

by both preserving this unique heritage site and opening it up for visitors to enjoy.