Bulevardul Unirii

View of the boulevard

On the boulevard

Bulevardul Unirii (Romanian: [buleˈvardul uˈnirij], Union Boulevard) is a major thoroughfare in central Bucharest, Romania. It connects Alba Iulia Square with Constitution Square, and also runs through Unification Square. The Constitution Square end features the Palace of the Parliament, which began construction simultaneously with the boulevard as an architectural unit.

History

Following the 1977 Vrancea earthquake, Bucharest's city center suffered significant damage, and a large number of historic buildings were demolished to make way for the new Centrul Civic (Civic Center; see systematization and Ceaușima). As part of the project, Bulevardul Unirii was to be Communist Romania's answer to Paris's Avenue des Champs-Élysées, with a length of 3,500 m. Construction began on June 25, 1984. Initially called Bulevardul Victoria Socialismului (Victory of Socialism Boulevard), the road is lined with socialist-realist apartment blocks of North Korean inspiration.

Transport

The boulevard is served by Piaţa Unirii metro station at Union Square.

See also

• Centrul Civic
• Systematization