BUCHAREST

Herastrau Park 

• situated on the banks of Herastrau lake, in the north of Bucharest
• due to its favourable position for walking and recreation, the area of Herastrau lake attrackted a lot of people living in Bucharest since the 18th c.
• later, towards the end of the 19th c. and until1930, the park on the banks of Herastrau lake, that was in the meantime called The National Park, became the favourite place for promenade and talk
• before 1930 the respective area was marshy; between 1930-1935 it was drained
• between 1936-1939 it was arranged with arboreal vegetation of willows, poplars, maples, ash trees and linden trees
• since 1948 this leisure area got the name of Herastrau Park, with numerous points of attraction and leisure, an open-air theatre, pavilions for exhibitions, cafes and restaurants

• it stretches for 110 ha. being the largest park in Bucharest
• Herastrau lake, 77 ha., used for recreation, aquatic sports and sailing, is fitted with boats, motorboats, hydrobikes
• the beauty spots:
  

• The Roses Island, with its two axes, one opening perspective towards Satului Museum and the other one that connects with the rest of the park

These alleys become crowded during weekends.

• The Japanese Garden

arranged in 1998

with the help of     The Japanese Embassy in Romania   Commemorative Foundation of the International Japanese Exhibition

		Monuments and Statues

“Aleea Cariatidelor” by Constantin Baraschi made a sensation when it was ready with the occasion of the celebration of “Luna Bucurestilor”- 1939, being a transposition of a Greek classical element in Romanian style. The Romanian peasant woman is looked upon with piety:  aristocratic figure, slim silhouette, typical Romanian clothes, remarkable through sobriety and elegance – folk motifs on the sleeves of her embroidered peasant blouse,lace at her hands and skirt. But she was barefooted! The alley was destroyed at one time, and the group was recreated having as model an authorized copy made by the artist, and now it is to be found in Belu Cemetery

The statue of Gen. de Gaulle, in Herastrau park, at the entrance from Piata Charles de Gaulle was unveiled with the occasion of the French speaking nations’ Summit in Bucharest, in September 2006. It is 4.7 m. high and it weighs approximately 5 tons.

• Sports, extreme …or not

Along with other sports that can be practiced in the park, “roller skating” is by far the favourite. Skate Park is “the” meeting place of the rollers.

The specially arranged area is a point of attraction for many youngsters that practice roller skating as well as  for… spectators.