Spring Palace Ceaușescu Mansion

"Strange to see for a 55-year-old Romanian like me, who lived 19 years under communism, and still having in mind the image of Ceaușescu as an intangible god.

The unnamed king for whom you were kicked out of school by communist activists and you sat bored, tired and hungry one day in the sun, on the side of the road, together with your class, your colleagues, until a car passed by, ten seconds, to wave flags in homage. To see his bed in which he slept, the swimming pool, the office, the carpets on which he walked, to feel the air he breathed… You who were a tiny mortal, with only the right to live, but without whims or criticisms against communism. You, for whom empty, totally empty shops were a habit, the lack of electricity in the evening, between seven and ten was normal... You, for whom having two cars in the family was an unbelievable thing, a fabrication from American movies...

Although, compared to the standard of living of today's Romanian millionaires, the villa is not opulent, compared to the poverty and deprivations of Romanians under communism, it was an incredible offense, a defiance of humanity, common sense and faith. The interior is the elegant landmark of communist interior design, which I recognize and remind myself of from all the institutional or hotel spaces that reproduced with poverty what Ceaușescu displayed with insensitivity. Yes, and for that alone, the fate it had is justified and an act of justice. From the age of 11, in the autumn of autumn, as a pupil, soldier and student, three or four weeks of work in the fields in the sun or rain, followed by dark evenings, without TV, without heat, without joy, until 1989.

It is worth seeing, as a standard of contempt, meanness, success, stupidity, lack of culture and humanity. As the palace of a four-class shoemaker, who did not understand that the people means people, children, lives, aspirations, dreams, the desire to create, to develop as an individual and to think freely."

L M

"Was a brilliant visit to see how the top of the communist dictatorship lived in comfort and extreme luxury. You must definitely visit it on your holiday.

You pre book a tour online and turn up 10 minutes before hand. Everyone waits outside and when the tour guide was ready he made everyone put on shoe covers to protect the floor of the historic building. The ticket info says to bring your passport which we did but they didn’t ask for it.

Once inside the tour guide took everyone through all of the grand rooms. Just to note the tour is strictly no photography allowed for everyone and you’re politely asked to put your camera away if you get caught. It’s such a grand manor. You start on the ground floor and work your way up the floors which get even more impressive as you rise. The tour guide was very knowledgable and made sure everyone had enough time to truly take in and appreciate each room. You finish the tour in the beautiful courtyard where you’re let to leave the building in your own time.

I would definitely reccomend this tour to anyone visiting the grand city. It really does give you a perspective of what the top of the command chain during communist rule lived like."

Thomas Cocks

"Very interesting mansion. From outside it doesn't seem that big but as you tour the house you'll realize its grandeur. Unfortunately taking pictures inside the mansion is not allowed."

jen e. (Jen)