Romanian Parliament: biggest building in Europe!
The Romanian Parliament, also known as the People’s Palace, is the biggest building in Europe and the second largest in the world. Only the Pentagon is bigger.
It was build by the Romanian dictator Ceausescu in the beginning of the eighties, but he never saw it finished. At the moment which he was executed, in December 1989, only the outside and the design was done.
After the fall of communism the inside of the building was constructed as planned. The floors are filled with shiny natural stones and marbles. The ceilings are beautifully decorated with massive chandeliers. Huge carpets with curly decorations were weaved inside the palace, as it was impossible to transport them.
Almost all the materials used are from Romania. This was one of the restrictions of Ceausescu, who wanted to be independent of other countries. Romania had to be self-sufficient.
Currently the building houses both chambers of the national Parliament. The building is also used for congresses and to welcome important persons.
Some random facts: 270 meters wide; 240 meters long; 86 meters high; 92 meters under the ground; 1,100 rooms … so that’s quite big!
it’s funny what people on the street answered about the building
here’s some photos from the inside: http://www.flickr.com/photos/colorme/sets/72157602726720117/show/
The building also houses the Romanian Museum of Contemporary Art and quite a cool roof top cafe at the last floor of the museum. I’d give you a tour when you come back in Bucharest