One of the many passions, needs, pleasures, and perhaps the least expensive remains walking. We have to give it credit and I'm glad Hive allows me to do so, every Wednesday, at the very inspired suggestion of our friend @tattoodjay.
Each walk is unique but, at the same time, it takes us down beaten paths because the story-worthy places to walk are finite around us. Around the house, on the streets, through parks, and less often on trips and journeys.
Parks are a good option but, unfortunately, these places are few in any city and inevitably, we repeat the same routes every time. I try, to avoid monotony, and to alternate both walking and storytelling through the few most important parks in Bucharest. Today I'll show you something from a famous park in the city center...
Cismigiu Park
Cismigiu Park is the oldest public garden in Bucharest and it's laid out in the style of English parks!
In 1830, General Pavel Kiseleff ordered the draining of the puddle and the transformation of the land into a public garden. It was not until Gheorghe Bibescu's reign in 1847 that the landscape gardener Wilhelm Mayer, former director of the Imperial Gardens in Vienna, was called in and charged with transforming the unhealthy land into a beautiful garden. Source
This park is not the biggest and not the most beautiful, but it is the oldest, and many famous events and characters from Romanian history are associated with its name.
Now I don't want to refer to history, I want to show what caught my attention on this most recent walk, actually a walk through the park on a trip of necessity, the park being a shortcut.
Any old park is beautiful, especially because of the old trees and the association of different species not necessarily found together in nature.
I often go downtown but very rarely do it to walk in the park. I have other priorities and needs. When I cross the park I can observe the landscape and any changes.
The English influence can be seen in the landscaping and the separation by lawn areas, that can't be seen in other parks in the city.
Lately, due to some reason, i.e. lack of money in the city budget, the park has been somewhat neglected and it shows. The residents of the city have noticed and are unhappy. We have seen that there are now some improvement works, such as the renovation of a famous restaurant called Monte Carlo, once famous and frequented by the "good people" of the city.
I also revisited a popular gathering place, especially for seniors, where everyone played different games, especially chess.
The benches in this park are arranged in a unique way, different from other parks. These are set side by side along the main alleys.
Behind these benches I saw perhaps the oldest wisteria, at least that's what it looked like...
This park was built in a place where there was a swamp and many springs. Now I don't know if these springs still exist or if they have been replaced with water from the city water supply.
I liked this locked gate that denies access to the small island, haha...
Arriving near the park exit, I was attracted by an imposing and old building.
This part of the park, opposite the main entrance, seems more sparse, both in plants and trees.
The exit is made near the earlier mentioned building which now becomes more and more imposing, not because of its size but, especially, because of its architecture.
It is a small palace called Kretzulescu, after the name of the woman who built it, Princess Elena Kretzulescu.
Kretzulescu Palace, on Calea Știrbey-Vodă, 39, Bucharest, Romania.
“Around the palace, Elena Kretzulescu has laid out a park of almost two hectares, with terraces, fountains, pools, springs, and bridges." (the current Cișmigiu Park).Source
That's how I found out that the former gardens of the Kretulescu Palace form part of the current Cismigiu Park.
I've known this park since I was a kid. Sixty years ago my parents used to bring me here to play and they would sit on the patio and drink beer. I'm glad that after so many years I was able to learn something new about this part of town.
This whole story might not interest anyone but I hope you find something interesting in the photos.
Make a point of looking around and up and see what you can find to get shots of that otherwise you may miss.
This is one of the recommendations made by @tattoodjay for those who prefer walking and are used to sharing impressions and photos in his community, Wednesday Walk, every Wednesday, like this one today.
