National Military Club

Slightly dark, utterly resplendent, and constructed by Romania’s brightest engineers, National Military Club is a center of history and culture above anything else. Set in the heart of Bucharest next to iconic landmarks like the Athenaeum, the palace harbors the time-capsuled Communist-era Romania in its murals. Like many other monuments in Bucharest, the building suffered the hit of World War I. Later, it rose in full speed to become the cultural symbol of the Romanian military. A tour among its victory-laden hallways will reveal how the country survived the violent years of war. But aside from historical relics, elegant 17th-century curves and a slate of artistic happenings are what you will find.

There is no shortage of monumental areas in the building. From the classy Marble Hall to the edgy Gothic Hall, the ten spruced-up halls of the palace are home to magnificent artworks and furniture. While some of them hosted the most famous balls of the time, others have simply enchanted visitors for a century. The Stairs of Honor is among the most impressive elements of the building’s architecture. It escalates to the second floor in grace, providing a dramatic entrance to a treasure trove. There, you will find arches, chandeliers, and ornamented vaults and panels.

Once belonging to the Bucharest Garrison’s Military club, the palace became one of the cultural symbols of the city. Today, serving as a museum and a restaurant, the palace is a delightful place to spend an afternoon.