You are not far off the mark if you claim that the Athenaeum is Bucharest’s most beautiful building. The 41-metre high structure was originally intended to house a circus. Below the enormous cupola is a concert hall with over 750 seats. The Athenaeum is home to the Romanian State Philharmonic, The building was constructed in the years 1885-88 according to the plans of French architect Albert Galleron.

Mosaics above the entrance portray the country’s most illustrious rulers. Inside a large fresco depicts momentous episodes from Romania’s history including the revolution of 1848 and the country’s unification. The bronze statue in front of the Athenaeum is of the great poet Mihai Eminescu.