- Ateneul Roman - Bucharest, a city once called the Little Paris, a city that could have been much more if not for the communist era.
You will easily see this for yourself during this private walking tour, a tour marked by strong visual contrasts. You will visit two areas that perfectly reflect these contrasts: the beautifully restored Old Town with its Belle ‘Epoque perfume and the former Communist Civic Center. The tour is more than a visual experience, it’s a story that takes you through 45 years of communism, allowing you to see beyond the city’s colorful present.
The tour starts in front of the Romanian Athenaeum, a symbol of old Bucharest prior to the communist era. Here, you will learn about the tragic and brutal installment of communism (end of WW2), about Stalin and the enslavement of Eastern Europe, the genocide of the KGB’s Secret Police, the Siberian deportation of farmers who refused to “donate” their lands to the state, the eradication of culture, private property and free press.
- Private tour
- Free hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional licensed guide
- Refreshments
Discover Bucharest and the remnants of its Communist Era: imposing edifices and enduring wounds. Step back into history with a private guided walk through Bucharest, a narrative journey through 45 years of Communism, providing insight beyond the city’s vibrant present. You’ll witness the stark contrasts between the charmingly restored Old Town with its aroma of 19th century Belle Époque and the dull, hulking erstwhile Communist Civic Center.
Your journey will take you past the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, University Square and Old Town. The highlight of the tour is a stop at the Palace of Parliament, which is the second largest building in the world, next only to the Pentagon. What’s more, during this personal communist journey, we’ll bring along vintage photos: see how the streets once appeared, how people dressed, worked and lived. Speaking about life, how was it behind Stalin’s iron curtain? It wasn’t just black or white. Not even grey. It was red. Communist red…
- A moderate amount of walking is involved (up to 3 Km in total)
- Slow paced tour with several stops for rest/refreshments
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
