Palace of the Parliament

History

The Palace of the Parliament — known to Bucharest locals as Casa Poporului (The People’s House) — is the heaviest building on Earth and the second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon. It was built between 1984 and 1997 under the orders of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, who razed approximately one-fifth of Bucharest’s historic center to make room for it.

The project required the demolition of churches, synagogues, monasteries, hospitals, and an estimated 40,000 homes. The human cost is incalculable. Today, the building serves as Romania’s Parliament, but its history makes it one of the most complex symbols in European architecture — simultaneously awe-inspiring and deeply unsettling.

What to See Inside

The interior is as staggering as the exterior. Over 1,000 rooms spread across 365,000 square meters (twelve floors, with an additional eight underground levels). The tour typically covers about 5% of the building, but that 5% includes:

The Hall of Human Rights — a vast chamber with marble floors and crystal chandeliers weighing several tons each
The Nicolae Balcescu Hall — featuring an enormous hand-woven carpet that was brought in through the window because it was too large for any door
The Unification Hall — the largest room, used for official ceremonies, with an area of 2,200 square meters
The rooftop terrace — offering panoramic views of Bucharest (available on the extended tour)

“You can appreciate the craftsmanship while mourning what was destroyed to build it. That tension is part of the experience.”

Tips for Visiting

The Palace requires a guided tour — you cannot wander freely. Tours are available in Romanian and English and must be booked in advance.

Booking: Reserve online through the official website at least 24 hours before your visit. Bring your passport or ID — it is required for entry.

What to wear: Comfortable shoes. The tour involves significant walking across marble floors, and the building is cool even in summer.

Photography: Allowed on most tours, but flash is prohibited. The rooftop tour offers the best photo opportunities.

Getting there: The nearest metro station is Izvor on lines M1 and M3. From Piata Unirii, it is a 15-minute walk along Bulevardul Libertatii, which itself is worth seeing — it was designed as a grand boulevard rivaling the Champs-Elysees.

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. Regardless of your feelings about its origins, the Palace of the Parliament is unlike anything else in Europe. The scale is genuinely hard to comprehend until you are inside. Budget at least 2-3 hours, including the walk from the metro and the security check.

If you only visit one landmark in Bucharest, make it this one — not because it is the most beautiful (it is not), but because it tells the story of the city’s 20th century like nothing else can.