▼

May 18, 2011

R is for Renovator

Bucharest, the capital of Romania, boasts an eclectic range of grand architecture, which, coupled with a sophisticated urban culture during the 1920s and 30s, earned the city the nickname "Little Paris." 

From the beginning of WWII and the subsequent internal political upheavals up to the 1989 Revolution that ended a rogue regime little was spent on building maintenance, with the sad inevitable result that many buildings have felt the pain of neglect, run down or ramshackled.

As the economy generally improved over the past two decades, and as I've written here before, the city is getting a facelift. Many old mansions and buildings have been, or are in process of being, renovated.

The renovator, then, could be considered a modern day hero...


...especially when the job may require the additional skills of a rock climber! You'll have to enlarge this image to see this renovator hanging outside the last window on the right on the seventh floor.

Bucharest, 2011

And R is the letter at ABC Wednesday today.

22 comments:

  1. Roger Owen GreenMay 18, 2011 at 4:33 AM

    LOTS of strong R words in your post - Romaniam, regime, revolution, renovated. Very informative.
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

    ReplyDelete
  2. JamesMay 18, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    Great subject for "R". When I was in 5th grade a boy from Bucharest joined our class and we became friends. He told me how terrible the conditions were there and how wonderful things seemed in the U.S.A. He described Bucharest in a way that made it seem like a hell hole. That was during the communist era but now It sounds like a very interesting place. I bet my friend would be happy to see Bucharest now. I'd like to go there myself. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. mrsnesbittMay 18, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    What a wonderful knowledgeable insight. Thanks so much for sharing.
    Denise ABC Team

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kay L. DaviesMay 18, 2011 at 5:52 AM

    Oooh, I wouldn't want that job, Francisca! But it's wonderful to know the city is getting a facelift.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

    ReplyDelete
  5. Carolyn FordMay 18, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    it must be an amazing place these days...I hope you post more photos! I'm so curious...

    ReplyDelete
  6. photowannabeMay 18, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    So glad renovation is going on. Revitialization is good for everyone. Very interesting post.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oakland Daily PhotoMay 18, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    The renovator looks like he's rappelling down the front of the building.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sylvia KMay 18, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Great post and great R words for the day as always, Francisca! Always enjoy the history and it's good to know that renovations are being made! Too lovely a place to be lost! Hope you're having a great week!

    Sylvia
    ABC Team

    ReplyDelete
  9. cieldequimperMay 18, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Excellent R post. They have a lot of work ahead but I'm sure the EU is helping along.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hootin AnniMay 18, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    That's one thing I LOVE about Europe...they cherish, keep, and continue to use the wonderful buildings from yesterday...here in America, all they can think of these days is to tear the old down and build the ugly stuff. LOL


    Beach...catcus blossom

    Have a grand day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. VioletSkyMay 18, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    I'm sure they have a lot of catching up to do. I hope there are enough skilled labourers for the job.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Reader WilMay 18, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Thanks for the informtive post. I know so little about Romania. It's great that those grand old buildings are renovated, although I wouldn't want to do the job of that man hanging on the building. I have a fear of heights.

    ReplyDelete
  13. KateMay 18, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    A brave man, indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  14. jooMay 18, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    It's a hard work and difficult!

    ReplyDelete
  15. KaoriMay 18, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    Oh my goodness! Maybe I could just be the person on the ground with the blueprints? ;D

    ReplyDelete
  16. fredamansMay 18, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Romania has wonderful architecture! Wouldn't want to be the renovator at the top though! Great pics!

    http://fredamans.blogspot.com/2011/05/abc-wednesday-r-is-for-roses.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. HMay 19, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    My eldest son would love to be up there renovating at altitude :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. EG CameraGirlMay 20, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    I'm so glad Bucharest is being renovated! What a shame to allow a beautiful city to fall apart!

    ReplyDelete
  19. KalaMay 20, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    This is a place I have not visited and the architecture looks gorgeous. It's good to know they are renovating many buildings and sites.

    ReplyDelete
  20. LowellMay 21, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    There is not enough money in the world to entice me to do this kind of work, but I'm glad that there are people willing (and brave enough) to do it...

    It's important, I think, to restore these old treasures, to their former grandeur!

    ReplyDelete
  21. DinaMay 22, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Oi, I sure hope he knows what he is doing!
    Great shots.

    ReplyDelete
  22. BookMay 23, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    I am constantly amazed at how beautiful the world is through your pictures!!

    ReplyDelete

I am thrilled that you are here... a note from you will make me smile.

I'm receiving a flurry of Anonymous spam, so I've set comments only for registered users.

This is a word verification free blog. Read Susan's poem on my sidebar and join the movement, please!