Vatra Dornei Casino

The Central Pavilion of the Baths, known as the Vatra Dornei Casino, has always been a symbol of this Bukovinian town. Built at the end of the 19th century at the initiative of Mayor Vasile Deac, who convinced Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria of the need for a casino for tourists visiting the baths, the casino was inaugurated on July 10, 1899. At that time, it featured a theater hall, a library, a restaurant, a confectionery, and other public utility spaces.

The eclectic-style building, influenced by German Renaissance architecture, served various purposes over the years: a gambling hall, a concert and performance venue, and even a workers’ club during the communist regime. However, despite being included on the list of historical monuments in Suceava County, the casino remained in a state of significant deterioration for many years. The renovation work approved by Nicolae Ceaușescu in 1987 was halted after the December 1989 Revolution. In just three months, chandeliers, Carrara marble, crystals, and copper tubs were stolen. The restoration work was never resumed due to lack of funds and frequent changes in ownership.

Fortunately, around this monument, the first edition of the Dorna Art Festival (2015) was created with the aim of revitalizing the town through an alternative cultural platform, offering interactive and contemporary recreational activities such as concerts, workshops, films, exhibitions, and performances. These events aimed to boost the community’s confidence in its ability to reclaim the urban space, a place of invaluable cultural significance to the town.

In 2003, the Casino of Vatra Dornei was claimed by the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți as the legal administrator of the Orthodox Romanian Church Fund of Bukovina. The goal was to restore the building and transform it into a Bukovina Museum. As explained by Father Gheorghe Saftiuc, economic advisor to the Archdiocese of Suceava and Rădăuți:

“We recently obtained approval from the Ministry of Culture for the rehabilitation of the casino building. The ongoing project aims to create a Bukovina Museum, covering the history of the region from its beginnings to the present day. In order for the project to be eligible and have the best chances of being accepted for funding, we have proposed to complete the technical project first, and only then will we submit the application to Piatra Neamț. I am confident we will finish everything before the submission deadline, which is August 25.” (News from 06.07.2016, www.monitorulsv.ro/Local/2016-07-06/Cazinoul-din-Vatra-Dornei-va-deveni-muzeu)

As of early 2023, the former Casino is on the verge of a grand reopening. Restoration works are advancing both on the exterior and interior, and the monumental building is beginning to resemble its former glory. After the consolidation and restoration of the landmark building, which will bear the name “Centrul Muzeal ‘Cazinoul Băilor’” (The Baths Casino Museum Center), the exceptional architecture of this structure will be brought back to light. It has witnessed periods of prosperity as well as troubled times. The project also aims to promote the historical and cultural heritage of the Vatra Dornei spa resort by highlighting local resources and traditions.

Below, a few images from 2016:

Text: Alex Iacob
Foto: Alex Iacob & Robert Casmirovici