viernes, 6 de diciembre de 2013

Kretzulescu palace



 One of the things I love the most about Romania is the incessant possibility of finding an amazing building in the next corner. 
When we first moved here I knew very little about this country, so inmediately had a crush: you wouldn´t believe the overwhelming quantity of historic places flooding the streets.
Castles, palaces and old mannor houses are a national symbol of their glorious past. 

By the nineteenth century Romania maintained a continuos rivalry with the Russian Empire, and this was reflected on the architectural magnificence of the period. They wanted to buy more and better in order to demonstrate their cultural superiority.


In this very context, the princess Elena Kretzulescu decided she would like to leave her own print on the history of Romanian arts and hired young architect Petre Antonescu, who had studied at Paris, in order to rebuild the family residence.
They followed the French Renaissance style, by imitating Loira Valley constructions.
Kretzulescu Palace was finished in 1902.
Since 1972, it houses the headquarters of UNESCO's European Centre for Higher Education UNESCO-CEPES.



The superb palace is situated on Ştirbei Vodă street nr. 39, very close to Cismigiu Gardens.
If you visit Bucharest, don´t miss its evocative view.
And, in case you want to know more, there you have a Top 50 of the most beautiful Romanian palaces.
Just for your joy!

The winner of the Give Away will be announced in the nex post.
Please, remember you are still having the chance to participate.



22 comentarios:

  1. Im so jealous you are in Romania, this place looks amazing! Reminds me a bit of Heinrich Dietel's former residence in my town. Beautiful.

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    Respuestas
    1. Romania is being a delightful discovery. I´ve been here for two months now, but I have the feeling that there´s still a lot to see. I keep finding new and amazing places every time I go for a walk, so my adventurous spirit is on! I love the feeling of being a foreigner explorer on a Victorian tale, haha.

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  2. What a gorgeous building! Is it open to visitors?

    Chelsea

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    1. Unfortunately, the building belongs to UNESCO now and, as long as it is an oficial government-like place, it is not regularly opened to visitors. However, it might be the possibility of getting more information there. I´ll ask next time and let you know.

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  3. WOW! Just wow!! That is the joy of a new country. Everything is new, sometimes scary but how you can say no to capture and see from close so many beautiful things?!

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    Respuestas
    1. That´s totally right Magda! For me it´s impossible to stay at home when I know there are so many exciting places waiting to be seen out there. And well, I think trepidation is not necessarily a bad thing if it helps to push yourself a little more in order to be brave.

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  4. I sense that after you've done a few more posts, I'm going to feel the need to come back to Romania just one more time, Violette. :o)

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    Respuestas
    1. Hahaha, yes, I can see that coming because I am planning to keep portraying all the wonderful surroundings with my camera. And just wait until snow is here! All those mannor houses covered with the shiny pearl robe! ♥

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  5. It's hard to believe that this beauty is still quite young on the scale of things. If I hadn't been told when it was built I would have thought it to be at least twice its actual age! I suppose it's because this style of architecture can be seen on much older buildings! It's wearing a disguise! Still it is a breathtaking sight and to be able to live in such a place would be blissful! There is definitely something of the Addams Family house about it!

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    Respuestas
    1. It definitely looks older! Of course is all due to princess Elena´s personal tastes. As the architect, she had studied in France and by then she was totally in love with Renaissance style, so she decided it was totally appropiate for her residence. I admire that kind of attitude, the courage to keep going with something you like even if it´s not fashionable anymore.
      And yeah! There´s an Addams vibe on it. I think that´s the main reason I feel so attracted by the house ♥

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  6. Wow! That is a beautiful building. I love 19thC fancy buildings - they often look back on older historical buildings and then try and recreate that style, but amplified and using architectural technologies that would have been beyond the reach of their predecessors. It's also interesting to see the Parisian French influence in Romanian building - here in Scotland there was this trend too, but mixed with the local Scottish style, to make Scottish Baronial style.

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    1. I didn´t know about the Scottish Baronial style but I´ve been checking online after reading your coment and I am quite impressed. It is totally beautiful and lordly, somehow your castles look like taken from some dark fairytale ♥
      I would love to see that with my own eyes some day.

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  7. Respuestas
    1. We should fund a gothic-friendly squater movement to live in this kind of places, haha :P

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  8. Those buildings are absolutely fantastic! Beautiful. That first photo in particular is stunning!

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    Respuestas
    1. Yes, there´s some serious good taste around this house, isn´t it? :)

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  9. I am totally in love with it, Leena ♥

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  10. Beautiful pictures, beautiful buildings!

    x Dawn
    www.wickedlypleasant.wordpress.com

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  11. Romenia é mesmo encantadora! Não vejo a hora de conhecê-la! Adorei o blog! :)
    http://lilithstyleandbeauty.blogspot.com.br/

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