The Queen Elisabeth Boulevard (Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta) is a major traffic artery in the center of Bucharest. The street stretches in east-west direction between University Square in the old town and Mihail Kogălniceanu Square.
History Of Queen Elisabeth Boulevard
The street was first opened for traffic in 1870 under the name Academy Boulevard (Bulevardul Academiei), but in 1930 it has been named after the first queen of Romania, Queen Elisabeth (Regina Elisabeta). Under the communist regime, most streets with a reference to the old kingdom were renamed so in 1948 it became the March 6 Boulevard.
In 1965, the street was renamed Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej Boulevard, after the communist leader who had deceased that year. After the 1989 Revolution, the street was renamed again and this time it became the Mihail Kogălniceanu Boulevard. In 1995, it received back its pre-communist name Queen Elisabeth Boulevard.
Sights And Landmarks On Queen Elisabeth Boulevard
The Queen Elisabeth Boulevard is not only an important traffic corridor, but along the street there are also a number of important political, historical, and cultural sights, monuments, and other landmarks.
Southern side (from east to west):
- Suţu Palace
- Industrial Credit Palace
- Generala Palace
- Former Hotel Bristol
- Grand Hôtel du Boulevard
- Elisabeth Theater
- Bucharest City Hall
- National Archives of Romania
Northern side (from east to west):
