BUCHAREST

Romanian Bucuresti city and municipality, the economic, administrative, and cultural centre of Romania. It lies in the middle of the Romanian plain, on the banks of the Dmbovita, a minor northern tributary of the Danube. Although archaeological excavations have revealed evidence of prehistoric settlement, the first written appearance of the name Bucuresti dates from 1459, when it was recorded in a document of Vlad III the Impaler, the ruler of Walachia. Vlad III built the fortress of Bucharestthe first of many fortificationswith the aim of holding back the Turks who were threatening the existence of the Walachian state. Under the Ottoman suzerainty that was eventually established, Bucharest developed rapidly as the main economic centre of Walachia, becoming the capital in 1659. The names of some streetsUlita Blanarilor (Furriers' Lane), Ulita Selarilor (Saddlemakers' Lane), Ulita Sepcarilor (Capmakers' Lane)testify to the emergence of guild organizations, and, during the reign (16881714) of Prince Constantin Brncoveanu (Brncoveanu), large, broad thoroughfares were built. By the 18th century, government was no longer in the hands of native princes but was controlled instead by Phanariotes (i.e., Greeks originating in the Phanar district of Constantinople). In 1821 a popular uprising, led by the Walachian national hero Tudor Vladimirescu, ended Phanariote rule. Again, in 1859, civic unrest played a part in forcing the union of Walachia and Moldavia, followed in 1862 by the proclamation of Bucharest as the capital of the Romanian state. These events, coupled with a land reform in 1864 and the final achievement of national independence in the war of 187778, gave a strong impetus to the economic development of both the nation and its capital city. After World War I, Bucharest strengthened its position as the most important city of a greatly enlarged country. Further growth took place after World War II, and following the nationalization of land in 1948, this growth was characterized by large-scale projects and a marked architectural uniformity. The modern city is characterized by a number of squares from which streets and boulevards mainly radiate. The two chief streets, running roughly parallel through the centre of the city, are Bulevardul Balcescu and Bulevardul Univii; the latter, formerly called, under communism, the Boulevard of the Victory of Socialism, was vastly expanded in the 1980s under the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and was decorated with such buildings as the hugely palatial marble House of the People (Casa Poporului). About 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares) of old Bucharest were razed to make room for the new palace and grand boulevard. Republic Squarewith the palace hall and the historic Cretulescu Church (1722)is one of the most beautiful squares of the city. It is linked to Palace Square, which is surrounded by an imposing group of administrative, political, and cultural buildings including the massive Romanian Athenaeum, notable for its columned facade. The city has a large number of churches, usually small, in Byzantine style. Apart from the Curtea Veche (Old Court) church, the Antim Monastery (1715) and the churches of Stavropoleos (1724) and Spiridon (1747) are of considerable architectural interest. The most important centres for higher education are the Technical Institute of Bucharest (founded 1819) and the University of Bucharest (founded 1694). In addition, there are several academies in both arts and sciences, as well as numerous research institutes. Bucharest has three central libraries (the Library of the Academy of Romania, the Central State Library, and a central university library) and a large number of public library units. Many of the city's theatresfor example, the National Theatre I.L. Caragiale and the Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Romaniahave long traditions. Bucharest is also the seat of a national philharmonic orchestra. Among the many museums are the Museum of the History of the City of Bucharest and the Art Museum of Romania, the latter maintaining large collections of national, European, and Oriental art. A highly original ethnographic collection, the Village Museum (1936), is made up of peasant houses brought from various parts of the country. Manufactures include engineering products, notably machine tools and agricultural machinery, as well as electrical and automotive equipment, buses, trolleybuses, and a wide variety of other goods, including consumer goods. The city is served by an international airport at Otopeni and the smaller Baneasa Airport. Pop. (1987 est.) city, 2,014,400; municipality, 2,298,256.