The National Theater Bucharest Ion Luca Caragiale (Teatrul Național Ion Luca Caragiale) is located on University Square (Piaţa Universităţii) in central Bucharest and is one of the national theaters of Romania. The theater has 7 auditoriums with capacities ranging from 200 to 940 seats. The building also hosts a museum about the history of Romanian theater, with a collection of books, manuscripts, paintings, and other objects.
The current building of the National Theater Bucharest opened its doors in 1973, after the old building, located half a kilometer away on Victory Avenue, was destroyed during the World War II bombing of Bucharest on August 24th, 1944. Between 2011 and 2015 extensive renovations and other works have been carried out to modernize the building.
In front of the National Theater Bucharest, you can find a bronze monument called “The Monumental Ensemble The Wheelbarrow” (Ansamblul monumental Căruța cu paiațe). The ensemble of 16 sculptures made by the artist Ioan Bolborea represents well-known characters from the works of Ion Luca Caragiale. The monument reaches 7 meters in height and weighs more than 25 tons.
The theater also has a trendy rooftop restaurant and bar, with spectacular views of the city from its outdoor terrace.
