City hunt Bucharest old town 4

Exactly, 1915 is the year carved in marble. The Marmorosch Blank Bank Palace was built between 1915-1923 (that is why you can see this year at the entrance), in a neo-Romanian style, with Byzantine and Gothic influences.

The Marmorosch Bank is one of the oldest banks in Romania. It was initially founded in 1848, in the context of the country's political and national revival. Its headquarters were in a small house in one of the oldest neighborhoods of Bucharest. Its founder was Iacob Marmorosch, merchant and "lender" of money.

The rise of the bank was favored by the family ties between Marmorosch and the banker Iacob Löbel, who became director of the Bucharest branch of the Imperial Ottoman Bank of Constantinople, under the firm "Banque de Roumanie". In 1863, Iacob Marmorosch associates with the young Mauriciu Blank. After six years of activity, the two became partners and in 1874 the bank became Marmorosch Blank & Co., one of the strongest credit institutes at that time.

In 1877, it participated in the financing of the Romanian army in the War of Independence. After gaining independence, the bank became involved in financing the construction of several railways.

In the 1920s, Marmorosch Blank bank was the most powerful commercial bank in Romania. In 1923, the bank had 25 branches in Romania and four abroad (Paris, Istanbul, Vienna and New York).

As a result of the world economic crisis of 1930, the Marmorosch Blank Bank became insolvent and could no longer meet requests for the return of deposits, entering bankruptcy.

It is saved by the National Bank of Romania and maintained until 1948, when it was nationalized.

In recent years, it was the headquarters of a foreign bank and then it was abandoned. But in recent years it has acquired a new life, becoming one of the most luxurious 5-star hotels in Bucharest.

Here was the Sarindar monastery, said to be build in 14 century. The monastery became a place for people with mental sickness because it had an icon that could heal those pacients.

In 1838 an earquaqe destrois the monastery and a few years later its ruins are demolished.

First, they built here a fountain (Sarindar fountain), that you can still admire, and the place was bought by the military club in Bucharest. They needed a building for cultural and leisure activities. The architect had the problem that the ground was muddy for the foundation because of small tributary of Dambovita river. So, they built the foundation on oak wood, that becomes hard when in contact with water.

In 1922 the building was finished as you see it todey and it became the national military circle (CCA abreviation in Romanian). Inside, there are some beautiful rooms used for meetings, concerts and expositions.

That is correct! CM Babic is the culpture of this amazing door. You are here in front of the Ion Mincu University of Architecture. This is the oldest institution of its kind in Romania, being the successor of the many forms of architectural education initiated in 1892 through the School of Architecture.

The building that houses the institution today is called the Palace of the Institute of Architecture. Its construction began in 1912, according to the plans of the architect Grigore Cerchez (the name carved on the right side of the door), and was completed in 1927.

Since 1953, the school (and implicitly the building) has been named after Ion Mincu, Romanian architect, engineer, teacher and politician, promoter of an authentic Romanian architectural style, educated in Paris.

You are right! 4 is the correct answer! 

Mrs. Balasa, the one who gave the name to this church, was the daughter of Constantin Brancoveanu, voivode of the Romanian Country. She has been resting for almost 300 years in the place of worship that bears her name: Domnita Balasa.

In 1743, Miss Bălașa, the sixth daughter of Constantin Brâncoveanu, founded the first place of worship on the land in the center of old Bucharest, received as a dowry. In 1751 a small complex was built, consisting of a larger church, an asylum and a school, the last two being closed at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1838, an earthquake occurred, which seriously affected the place of worship.

Safta Brancoveanu, a lady married to the last descendant of the Brancoven family, Grigore, built another one in 1842, in neo-gothic style, in place of the one demolished by the earthquake. Brâncovenesc Hospital is also built next to the church.

However, the building was built on a land exposed to floods, and this church quickly deteriorated and only after 40 years it had to be demolished.

The current church was built during the reign of King Carol I and Queen Elizabeth, the construction lasting 4 years (1881-1885). In 1940, the church is affected by the great earthquake, so it is restored again.

Inside it, in two side niches, are the tombs of Lady Balasa (1693-1752), the sixth daughter of Prince Constantin Brancoveanu and Lady Zoe Brancoveanu (1800-1892).

Other interesting objects that you can see are the two gilts, positioned near the altar, on which the king and queen sat when they attended the service, also highlighted by the presence of the royal coat of arms on the back. You can still read "Nihil Sine Deo" - the royal motto.

In the Church park, the monument of Mrs. Balasa stands out, one of the most successful works of the sculptor Carol Storck-senior. On the plinth of the statue are written the names of the estates that constituted the dowry granted to the church.

The Brancovenesc Hospital built near the church has been functioning since its inception, being also renovated over time. During the Second World War, it functioned as a military hospital with a number of 500 beds. In 1948, during the government of Petru Groza, Brâncovenesc Hospital became the property of the state, and after the earthquake of March 4, 1977, Nicolae Ceaușescu found the pretext to systematize the entire area and in 1984, it was decided to demolish the building.

It is said that Safta Brancoveanu left a terrible curse on the church and the hospital, that no one should in any way touch the walls of the Brâncovenesc Hospital or the Domniţa church, and if he does not listen to her and move at least one brick from its place, "to be killed with all his people, hastily and mercilessly, on a day of great celebration". It is surprising that this was the fate of the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu who, after the demolition of the hospital, was killed together with his wife on December 25, 1989.

Another surprising thing about the church is the fact that no funeral was ever held in Bălaşa! Bălaşa Church was and will remain a church of celebration.

You are right! 2 roosters are represented on the fountain.

Turn around, admire the impressive white building. This the Parliament Palace erected by the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. Afer the earthquaqe in 1977 (7.2 degrees on the Richter scale), Ceaușescu wants to build the Deputy chamber here, after a plan of king Carol II. The project is a part of his plan about Bucharest to turn him into Phenian, the capital of North Coreea.

A young architecture (28 years old) is chosen for the project and they start to demolish important buildings in the area to make room for the new one (the Uranus neighborhood, Vacaresti monastery, hospitals were demolished). The constrution started in 1984 and 20.000 workers worked for 24 ours in 3 shifts.

The plan included a large building with 9 levels in height, 9 underground, a house for the guests, a large boulevard (like Champs Elysee) - the one you are standing on today, the ministeries and a subway connection. It was planned to be finished in 2 years, only with romanian materials. But Ceaușescu was killed in 1989 and the communist era ended then.

Today, the building is not finished and out of its 1000 rooms only 440 used. It has 86 m height and 92 m underground and it hosts the Parliament of Romania, both chambers.

It holds several recordes: the second largest building in the world, after the Pentagon, the most expensive administrative building in the world and the heaviest. 

In 1990 a rich man from America wanted to buy it. Today it is evaluated at 3 bilion dollars.

Have you all gathered? Then together you will find the treasure, placing the teams in the reverse order. Everyone has their code. The coordinates will show you the exact location of the treasure!