CEC Palace in Bucharest is on Victory Avenue. It is, in fact, a highlight of the old boulevard called the Great Street. That was the main avenue in the center of the capital since the 18th century. CEC Palace is near ZLATARI CHURCH and near Victoria Store, another Bucharest highlight during communist period. Authorities built it between 1896 and 1900 after the project of the architect Ion N. Socolescu. Yet, the designer of the building is Paul Gottereau. He was the Royal Family architect and the one who gave Bucharest a Paris style architecture in the dawn of the 20th century.

HISTORY OF CEC PALACE IN BUCHAREST

In fact, the first institution CEC PALACE in Bucharest, dealing with people’s economies and credits appeared in 1864. The ruler of the country, Alexandru Ioan Cuza ordered its building. It was a small construction with only three rooms, according to historians. The first manager was Eric Winterhalder, a German who lived between 1808 and 1889. The nowadays building, near The National History Museum replaced older buildings, dating back to the 18th century, or even older. In 1577 there was a monastery on its the place,  St. John, the wander maker.

The monks who served the monastery also built an inn and a market place nearby. When, in 1863, under Cuza’s rule, the Church lost many of its properties, everything in the area was demolished. The first CEC Palace was one-floor building, simple, dedicated to poor people of the time. Later, it will flourish.

TOURISTS MAY VISIT THE PLACE DURING SPECIAL EVENTS

Now, we can see a monumental entrance, with two twin columns, four domes and another gigantic dome made of steel and glass, to cover the central hall. They were all made in Renaissance style. A very interesting painting like Fortune sharing prosperity, made by Mihail Simonidi, at CEC Palace in Bucharest, could have been seen on the ceiling, like the visitors could also see portraits of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth.

They were all half destroyed by communists after 1948.

An interesting highlight of Bucharest, CEC Palace might be an interesting place to take photos when travel to Bucharest and to see the NATIONAL BANK OF ROMANIA, or enjoy the Old City. Or you can take a tour of the National History Museum nearby or go on on University Square, visit Bucharest Museum or, just have lunch somewhere in the area.