Romanian Athenaeum

Overview

The Romanian Athenaeum is Bucharest's most beautiful building, a neoclassical concert hall (1888) with a distinctive domed silhouette. Home to the George Enescu Philharmonic, its acoustics and frescoed interior are outstanding.

Highlights

• Dome fresco: A 70-metre circular fresco depicting key moments in Romanian history.
• Acoustics: Considered among the best concert halls in Eastern Europe.
• Architecture: French architect Albert Galleron's neoclassical design with Ionic columns.

History

Funded entirely by public subscription ('Give a leu for the Athenaeum'), the hall opened in 1888 and has been the heart of Romanian classical music ever since.

Visitor Tips

• Concert tickets: Check fge.org.ro for George Enescu Philharmonic performances.
• Exterior only: Without a concert, you can see the lobby but not the main hall.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours (concert); 15 minutes (exterior).