Royal Palace: National Museum of Art
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In front of the Romanian Athenaeum is the Royal Palace, one of the most important symbols of the monarchical Romania, today being known as the National Museum of Art of Romania.
The Royal Palace story begins in 1812 when on this place a sumptuous for those times house with 24 rooms was built. Starting with 1837 and for a period of 30 years this luxurious construction has served as a royal palace. After 1866, along with the monarchy instauration, the house became the residence of the royal family, being, over time, modified and extended by several renowned architects. This was the first electrically lighted building in Bucharest.
After the forced abdication of King Michael of Romania, it was called “Palace of the Republic”, the main building halls being used by the council of ministers, and in 1950 the remaining halls were converted into the National Art Museum, which functioned uninterruptedly until 1989.
During the revolution of 1989, 80% of the building was destroyed and damaged. The renovation works lasted 10 years, the museum being reopened only in 2000.
The National Museum of Art heritage includes one of the largest collections of paintings from Romania. The museum art collections are exhibited in two galleries: the European Art Gallery centered on the Carol I art collection and the Romanian Art Gallery (Ancient Art and the Modern Art).
Besides the art galleries, the public was given the access to the central body of the building, newly renovated, including the royal living room, voivodes' staircase and the throne room.
The National Museum of Art can be visited every day from Wednesday to Sunday.
The central body of the Royal Palace is open to visitors only two days per month, in the third weekend of each month, only with prior appointment at programari@art.museum.ro.
The Royal Palace story begins in 1812 when on this place a sumptuous for those times house with 24 rooms was built. Starting with 1837 and for a period of 30 years this luxurious construction has served as a royal palace. After 1866, along with the monarchy instauration, the house became the residence of the royal family, being, over time, modified and extended by several renowned architects. This was the first electrically lighted building in Bucharest.
After the forced abdication of King Michael of Romania, it was called “Palace of the Republic”, the main building halls being used by the council of ministers, and in 1950 the remaining halls were converted into the National Art Museum, which functioned uninterruptedly until 1989.
During the revolution of 1989, 80% of the building was destroyed and damaged. The renovation works lasted 10 years, the museum being reopened only in 2000.
The National Museum of Art heritage includes one of the largest collections of paintings from Romania. The museum art collections are exhibited in two galleries: the European Art Gallery centered on the Carol I art collection and the Romanian Art Gallery (Ancient Art and the Modern Art).
Besides the art galleries, the public was given the access to the central body of the building, newly renovated, including the royal living room, voivodes' staircase and the throne room.
The National Museum of Art can be visited every day from Wednesday to Sunday.
The central body of the Royal Palace is open to visitors only two days per month, in the third weekend of each month, only with prior appointment at programari@art.museum.ro.
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