The Last Days of Communism Tour

Romania experienced more than four decades of communist rule between 1948 and December 1989, a period that deeply shaped the nation’s history and identity. Nicolae Ceausescu rose to power in 1965 as the General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party and later became the president of the Socialist Republic of Romania in 1974. For fifteen years, he ruled the country with an iron hand, promoting a cult of personality and undertaking massive construction projects that aimed to transform Bucharest into a symbol of his vision. His reign came to a dramatic end during the winter revolution of 1989, when he was overthrown and executed, marking the fall of communism in Romania and the beginning of a new democratic era.

This thought-provoking tour takes you through Bucharest to uncover the remnants and stories of that era, revealing both the grandeur and the hardships of communist times. You will explore iconic landmarks such as the first communist building in Bucharest, the Revolution Square where the dictator delivered his final speech, the colossal House of the People, and the former residence of the presidential couple. Depending on your hotel’s location, the itinerary includes notable sites like Free Press Square, The Arch of Triumph, Victoriei Square, Calea Victoriei, the Romanian Atheneum, Revolution’s Memorial, the Palace of Parliament, Union Square, University Square, Romana Square, Charles de Gaulle Square, and Primaverii Palace. This journey offers a powerful insight into Romania’s turbulent past and its remarkable transformation.