This large, 17 hectares garden in the center of Bucharest is one of the top tourist sights in the city. The Cişmigiu Park is unquestioningly the most beautifully landscaped garden in Bucharest, while still enjoying an accessible central location in the city. The south side is bordered by the Regina Elisabeta Boulevard, whereas the north side is delineated by the Ştirbei Vodă Street. The Schitu Măgureanu Street stretches on the west side, and the Brezoianu Street marks the east side of the Cişmigiu Park.
Park of princes
The history of the Cişmigiu Park starts in 1779 when the prince of Wallachia at the time, Alexandru Ipsilanti, commissioned the construction of two wells in order to improve the public water supply of the city. These were built on the location of the future park and the name of the present venue dates back to those times, deriving from the title of the official in charge with supervising the functionality of the wells.The lake inside the park, formerly known as the Lake of Dura the Merchant started to be called the Cişmigiu Lake. It was only in 1830 that General Pavel Kiseleff ordered the construction of a public park on the site of the pond which was regarded as a source of danger for the public health at the time. It was another prince, Prince Gheorghe Bibescu, who commissioned Wilhelm Mayer and Franz Harer to do the job in 1847, it was designed as an English garden. In 1852, the first construction works were initiated and the park was officially opened in 1854.
Local favorite
Today, locals love to head for this park, especially during hot summer days when it offers a refuge against the sun and in Winter, when the lake ices over and it is transformed into an open-air skating rink! Wind your way around the meandering alleys of the park, and you'll stumble across highlights like the Writers' Ring (where the busts of the most important classic writers of the history of the Romanian literature can be admired), the Roman Ring, a memorial monument built in the honor of the French soldiers who died during the Second World War, plenty of statues, a bridge and even the first newspaper stand ever built in the capital. The sheer natural beauty of the gardens can not be ignored; lush greenery, colorful flower beds, the lake constantly crisscrossed by boats (which can be rented from the dock) during the hot season make this a wonderful location for a peaceful walk. Alternatively, relax on one of the benches or eat in the historical restaurant inside the park, Monte Carlo, a venue which dates back to the early 20th century. Whether enjoying a family picnic, or just a quiet walk, Cişmigiu Park is a wonderful venue for visitors to Bucharest and has to be seen to be appreciated.
