Description

The Arch of Triumph is a historical landmark of Bucharest and a symbol of the city. Located in the north of Bucharest, in the middle of one of the busiest intersections of the city, the monument reminds passers-by of the victory of the Romanian Army in the First World War and of the Great Union of 1918 – one of the most important events in Romania’s history. Built according to the French model, the Arch of Triumph is the “younger brother” of the famous monument with the same name in Paris.

Every year, on December 1st, when Romanians celebrate their National Day, the Arch of Triumph is the main stage for the military parade organized in Bucharest.

The story of the Arch of Triumph in Bucharest begins in 1922, four years after the Great Union, when the authorities of that time decided to organize a grand parade to celebrate the event. For this purpose, they built a temporary Triumph Arch, made of wood, intended to replace the similar construction built in 1918. Later that year, in preparation for the coronation of King Ferdinand I, the authorities decided to build a new, more durable one. The new monument was built in the area of ​​Kiseleff Road, based on the plans of the architect Petre Antonescu. Unfortunately, due to the very short period of time, only the skeleton of the monument was cast from reinforced concrete, while the bas-reliefs were made of plaster, which led to the serious deterioration of the construction in just a few years.

Ten years later, in 1932, under the pressure of the media, the authorities decided to replace the bas-reliefs from the exterior plaster with the new ones made of stone or marble. The inauguration took place on December 1st, 1936, and the event was one of the rare moments when Queen Mary appeared in public with her son, King Carol II.

The Arch of Triumph in Bucharest is 27 meters high, the interior stairs leading to the terrace of the monument, where visitors can enjoy a unique view. The monument can usually be visited around December 1st, as part of National Day celebrations.