Revolution Square

Where Ceaușescu gave his final speech in December 1989

Address Piața Revoluției, Calea Victoriei, Bucharest

The most politically charged square in Bucharest, ringed by the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum of Art), the Romanian Athenaeum, the Athenee Palace Hotel, and the Senate (formerly the Communist Party Central Committee). It was here that Ceaușescu gave his last public speech on 21 December 1989; the crowd's jeers, broadcast live, triggered the revolution that ended Romanian Communism four days later.

The square is dominated by the Memorial of Rebirth, a controversial 2005 monument nicknamed "the potato on a skewer" by locals. An equestrian statue of King Carol I, demolished by the Communists and recast in 2010, stands in front of the Central University Library. Plaques on the surrounding buildings mark spots where protesters were shot.

things to do sight
A story
On 21 December 1989 Ceaușescu addressed a crowd from the balcony of the Central Committee building expecting cheers; instead the crowd began to boo, the broadcast was cut, and within 24 hours he had fled by helicopter. He was executed four days later.