Calea Victoriei

Calea Victoriei is known as an aristocratic street and the most famous street in Bucharest. The history of this street begins in the 16th century. During that time the street was divided into two smaller streets: the first one ran from the Royal Court to the National Military Circle and the second one was the road of Brasov. During that period of time, the name of the streets was given according to their destination.

During the reign of Constantin Brancoveanu, in the 17th century, the name of the street was changed to Podul Mogosoaiei (Mogosoaia Bridge). It was called so because the road linked the Capital city to the summer residence of the ruler (Mogosoaia Palace) and bridge because the street was the first paved street in Bucharest. Podul Mogoșoaiei was paved with long tree trunks, placed 20-30 cm above the ground. Obviously, it wasn’t the best way to pave the street and the old testimonies say that if you were walking in the rain you had all the chances to be stained with mud.

After the Independence War (1877 - 1878), the Mogoșoaiei Bridge became Calea Victoriei (Victory Street). The Romanian Army paraded after winning the independence war on the Mogoșoaiei Bridge and stopped in the Palace Square, where the army was greeted by Prince Carol, the future king of Romania, and the soldiers addressed him: "Prince, we brought you Independence!" At that moment, Carol and the mayor of Bucharest decided to change the name of the street in Calea Victoriei - Victory Street and this is its name to this day!

As you will see during your Calea Victoriei Tour, this is a street with very beautiful buildings. Most of them were built at the end of the 19th century or at the beginning of the 20th century for rich families. Start your tour from Victoriei Square, after your visit to Grigore Antipa Museum.

https://visitbucharest.today/calea-victoriei-tour/

Photo: Mihai Petre