Over five centuries of history, culture and Romanian identity: this is the city of Bucharest where our ancestors built modern Romania, through the spiritual and institutional strengthening of the individuality and unity of the Romanian people. Nowadays, Bucharest appears as one of the biggest cities of the continent where the last years’ architecture and the vibrant living style of its citizens have transformed Romania’s capital into a landmark on the European map.
The first written reference of Bucharest dates from September 20th, 1459, when the site was mentioned as one of the residences of ruler Vlad Tepes. On the occasion of the celebration of 555 years since the first certification of the city and official establishment as the formal royal residence, Romfilatelia dedicates to the “city of Bucur” the anniversary postage stamp issue Bucharest, 555 Years of Existence, which illustrates one of the symbolic facets of the city: its modern architecture from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The postage stamp issue consists of six postage stamps illustrating symbolic buildings of modern Bucharest, erected between the 19th and the 20th centuries, and the stamp of the souvenir sheet on which is represented the Zodiac Fountain in the Carol Park.
On the postage stamp with the face value of lei 3.30 is presented the National Bank of Romania Palace. Built on the place of an inn from the 17th century, the building is an architectural landmark of Bucharest’s urban modernization in that period, identified with the work of many architects trained in France. The construction of the Palace began in 1883 and ended in 1900.
Another jewel of the Capital is the current Palace of the Patriarchate, depicted on the postage stamp with the face value of lei 4.30. The history of the place begins in the mid-17th century when the Metropolitan Hill is mentioned (nowadays the Patriarchate Hill) as being covered with vineyards owned by the ruler of the country and harboring also a monastic complex.
On the postage stamp with the face value of lei 4.50 is depicted another outstanding work of the architect Ion D. Berindei - the Toma Stelian House, belonging to the Minister of Justice of that time. Subsequently donated to the Romanian state, the house became a museum of art, according to the owner’s desire itself. The collection of art of Minister Toma Stelian gathered over 500 paintings and some dozens of sculptures belonging to famous Romanian artists. Starting with 1950, the building had served as the headquarters of the Writers’ Union. Rebuilt after the 1977 earthquake, the house achieves a different look, the facade becoming sober.
On the postage stamp with the face value of lei 6.00, is represented the Palace of the Faculty of Medicine, building that hosts the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” in Bucharest. Built in the French Neoclassical style between 1902-1903 by Swiss architect Louis Blanc, the 3-floor architectural monument is made of stone. The monumental main entrance is surrounded by Ionic columns, and the basement, built of stone, is in fact the high pedestal on which the 3-floor building is erected. The main symmetrical facade consists of a ground floor in bonding, with arched windows.
On the postage stamp with the face value of lei 5.00 is depicted the Kretulescu Palace, a historic building erected in the early 20th century, belonging to the Kretulescu family. After the construction of the first building around 1700, the building will undergo many radical changes over time, many architects putting their own vision on it. The nowadays image of the Palace is due to the Romanian architect Petre Antonescu, who reconstructs the building at the request of the heiress Elena Kretulescu, in French Renaissance style. Nowadays it hosts the headquarters of UNESCO in Romania - the European Centre for Higher Education.
On the postage stamp with the face value of lei 9.10, is depicted the National Geology Museum found in the building previously designed to accommodate the Geological Institute of Romania. It was founded in 1906 by order of King Carol I, in order to fulfill the role of a national geological service. The official opening of the Geological Museum took place in April, 1990, and was arranged in 22 rooms. The giant heritage museum contains today about 85,000 samples.
On the postage stamp of the souvenir sheet with the face value of lei 9.10, is represented the Zodiac Fountain, a historic monument found when entering the Carol Park. Inaugurated in 1935 by King Carol II, on the occasion of the celebrations held for the Bucharest Month, the Fountain preserved unchanged its name and appearance. It is a symbol of the cultural evolution in the interwar period, but also of the importance given to green places in that time. Creation of architect Octav Doicescu, the fountain consists of a circular bowl, in the middle of which stands a stone cup with black mosaics representing the Zodiac signs.
