Victory Avenue

Victory Avenue, also known as Calea Victoriei, is the most important street in Bucharest, as well as being the oldest. You can explore it from the heart of the city, in the historic centre, right up to Victory Square.

A Step Back in Time

The history of this famous road dates back to 1692 when Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu wanted a thoroughfare between the royal court (in the old town) and his palace in Mogoşoaia (a village to the north of the capital). This was called Mogoşoaia Bridge.

The setting for many novels throughout history, the street evolved and evolved, becoming the first street in the city to have lighting (it was lit with candles in 1814) and the first to be paved (in 1842).

In October 1878, after the Romanian victory in the War of Independence, it was renamed Calea Victoriei (meaning Victory Avenue), and it the returning victorious troops marched up the street in celebration.

Often compared to the Champs-Élysées in Paris, this is now the most expensive and exclusive street in Bucharest, with hotels chains such as Hilton and shops such as Gucci and Rolex housed within decadent, emblematic buildings. This truly is one of the most charming places in the city.

Iconic Buildings and Monuments

If you go from one end of the avenue to the other (which is almost compulsory when visiting the city!), you'll find incredible buildings and monuments, such as the Romanian Athenaeum, the National Museum of Art of Romania, the National History Museum of Romania, Cantacuzino Palace, CEC Palace, Revolution Square and Telephone Palace.