Vandog Traveller

Quit job, build campervan, travel

Exploring the rooftops of Bucharest

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I don’t really enjoy the tourist stuff. I’d rather see what is down that little alley, check out that abandoned hospital or maybe climb through this window onto a 14-storey rooftop. I mean, I can see it all from up here anyway.

Here’s how you can do fun stuff for free in a foreign city and not be a tourist…

I Googled ‘urban exploring Bucharest’ and found a blog with some really nice photographs from guy who goes by the name of ‘Reptilianul’. A few days later I met up with him and others to explore a couple of rooftops in the middle of the city.

There were 4 of us; Axel (axelbraun.org), George (ilikegoodstories.com) and Alex (reptilianul.blogspot.ro) and me (vandogtraveller.com). Oh look we all have blogs.

retilianul-bucharest-urbex
Alex. This guy has given me a new wave of inspiration for exploring and taking photos
This is the roof of a hospital. Bring a chair and chill
This is the roof of a hospital. Bring a chair and just relax
Looking North Eastish. View of the casa radio building (more on this below) and the Dâmboviţa River.
Looking North Eastish. View of the casa radio building (more on this below) and the Dâmboviţa River.
One day I’ll open a café like this…
Come on. I know a good café!
This is the parliament building. It’s huge! 270m by 240m, 86m high and 92m underground. Designed by Romanian architect in the early 80s when she was only 28 years old. That’s one big project – the second-largest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon.
This is the parliament building. It’s huge! 270m by 240m, 86m high and 92m underground. Designed by Romanian architect in the early 80s when she was only 28 years old. That’s one big project – the second-largest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon
2nd roof. Some wooden ladders to get right to the very top for a view of the sunset
2nd roof. Some wooden ladders to get right to the very top for a view of the sunset
Axel wanted to get a good shot of the Casa Radio building with the sunset. This was a great spot – we spent like an hour here.
Axel wanted to get a good shot of the Casa Radio building with the sunset. This was a great spot – we spent like an hour here
Looking South West. Casa radio building on the right
Looking South West. Casa Radio building on the right
This is the Casa Radio building (also known as Dâmbovița Center). It was originally planned to serve as a museum for the Romanian communist party in the late 80s but has remained unfinished since. The most recent plan was to turn into a big shopping mall with a 5 star hotel, residential area and office towers
Casa Radio building (also known as Dâmbovița Center). It was originally planned to serve as a museum for the Romanian communist party in the late 80s but has remained unfinished since. The most recent plan was to turn into a big shopping mall with a 5 star hotel, residential area and office towers… Yawn
Rooftops looking North. I like the colours and the mix of old and new
Rooftops looking North. I like the colours and the mix of old and new
Hundreds of birds just flew off of the building as soon as the sun went down
Hundreds of birds just flew off of the building as soon as the sun went down. It was really cool and I’m so glad that axel got the video footage he wanted
Orange lights and concrete. Reminds me of the suburbs of Sheffield.
Sun gone, home time. The orange lights and concrete nearly reminding me of Sheffield, England.