Author: reptilianul

Categories: Romania, Urban Posted on

Unirii Square in Cluj

With the expansion of Piața Unirii in Cluj, the city has gained approximately 12,000 square meters of pedestrian space, significantly improving the area for its residents. The modernization works, completed on May 20 of this year, have transformed the western side of the square into a pedestrian zone, with occasional access for delivery vehicles. During the project, 11 new trees were planted, and 34 public and decorative streetlights were installed, bringing the total value of the work to 1,428,000 lei + VAT. … Continue readingUnirii Square in Cluj

Categories: Bucharest, Romania, Urban Posted on

Favorit Cinema

Cinematograful Favorit, built in the 1970s as part of a commercial complex in Bucharest’s Drumul Taberei neighborhood, was once a major cultural hub. With a two-level hall seating 944 people, it became a popular spot, with long queues daily. Considered the second most important cinema in the capital, films premiered at Patria before being shown at Favorit. … Continue readingFavorit Cinema

Categories: Bucharest, Romania, Urban Posted on

Lido Hotel

Standing proudly on Magheru Boulevard, Hotel Lido is a remarkable piece of Bucharest’s architectural and cultural heritage. Designed by the renowned architect Ernst Doneaud and inaugurated in August 1930, the hotel quickly became an emblem of modern luxury in Romania’s capital. What set it apart from the very beginning was its astonishing wave pool—an innovative feature that was a first for Bucharest and a source of wonder for its residents. … Continue readingLido Hotel

Categories: Romania, Rural Posted on

Mighindoala Village

Hidden away in a secluded valley, Engenthal (Mighindoala) in Sibiu County is a place that has long captivated my interest. My first encounter with this forgotten village was in 2013 while working on the documentary Engelthal – Valea Îngerului. Since then, I have often felt the urge to return—not only to witness the ongoing restoration of the Saxon church, overseen by Tara von Neudorf, but also to reconnect with the essence of the village itself. … Continue readingMighindoala Village

Categories: Romania, Rural Posted on

Gherdeal Village

Nestled in the heart of Romania, the village of Gherdeal, known in German as Gürteln, stands as a silent witness to the passage of time. It is one of the many abandoned Saxon settlements that dot the Transylvanian landscape, where the echoes of past lives have been replaced by an overwhelming stillness. Walking through its deserted streets, one cannot help but feel the weight of history pressing down on every crumbling facade and overgrown courtyard. … Continue readingGherdeal Village

Categories: Bucharest, Romania, Urban Posted on

The True Face of Bucharest

While not every European capital’s historic center looks like this, I strongly believe that streets like Băcani or Blănari serve as the true calling cards of Bucharest. These streets, with their crumbling facades, chaotic urban landscape, and echoes of a forgotten past, reflect the city’s identity more honestly than any polished boulevard ever could. … Continue readingThe True Face of Bucharest

Categories: Romania, Urban Posted on

Toma Cantacuzino Manor

Nestled in the picturesque town of Breaza, the Toma Cantacuzino Manor is a historic landmark known locally as the “Brâncoveanu Castle.” Its origins date back to the 17th century when it was constructed as a residence for Toma Cantacuzino, a member of one of the most influential noble families in Wallachia. Over time, the manor underwent several transformations, reflecting the evolving architectural tastes of its owners. … Continue readingToma Cantacuzino Manor

Categories: Bucharest, Romania, Urban Posted on

Bucharest Universal Store

A brief visit to the former Magazinul Universal București (Bucharest Universal Store) in Piața Roma reveals a space now reduced to a storage facility for construction materials and equipment. These are being used for the restoration of a nearby building on Gabroveni Street. Once a symbol of prosperity and consumer culture, the old department store now stands covered in graffiti and overshadowed by oversized billboards. For some, it is a relic of the so-called “Golden Age”; for others, just another canvas for street tags. But beneath this faded facade lies the extraordinary story of a man whose ambition built one of Bucharest’s most prominent commercial landmarks. … Continue readingBucharest Universal Store

Categories: Romania, Urban Posted on

The Predeal Train Station Passage and the Horror Aesthetic of Everyday Life

Walking through the underground passage of Predeal Train Station, I was struck by a peculiar sense of déjà vu—something about its dimly lit, abandoned atmosphere reminded me of a scene from Harry Potter, which I’ve included below. This unsettling feeling, however, is not unique to Predeal. It’s the state of many train stations, platforms, and annexes across the country: neglected, decaying, and imbued with an eerie silence that makes them feel like something out of a horror film. … Continue readingThe Predeal Train Station Passage and the Horror Aesthetic of Everyday Life