Water, water, water, all around the town. Are we in Venice? No, the water under discussion is in Bucharest, Romania. This fascinating city lies on the banks of the Dmbovia River. In addition, four lakes: Herstru, Floreasca, Tei, and Colentina stretch across the city. The Colentina River, does too, Its a tributary of the Dmbovia. As if that werent enough, in the city centre, the Cismigiu Gardens surround Lake Cimigiu, a tiny, artificial lake. Although they are relatively few in number, it is possible to find a
Bucharest hotel by one of these lakes.
Bucharest hotels near a lake are rare treats!
The Cismigiu Gardens were historically frequented by famous writers and poets. Based on the plans of German architect Carl F. W.Meyer, they opened in 1847 and today, are still the main recreational facility in Bucharests city centre. Of course, they dont exist alone. Around Lake Herstru is Herstru Park and Bucharests Botanical Garden is Romanias largest, containing over 10,000 species of plants. The Botanical Garden was at one time the Royal Familys pleasure park.
Although situated on the banks of a river, Bucharest does not serve as Romanias port city. Constanta and Galati fulfill that function. However, the Danube-Bucharest Canal, which is currently under construction, will link Bucharest to the Danube River and ultimately, to the Black Sea, utilizing the Danube-Black Sea Canal. Its expected that the canal will dramatically increase ocean-going trade opportunities.
The centre of Bucharest is University Square, where the North-South/East-West axes meet. From this point, the city area has a relatively round shape, with the borders almost equidistant from the centre.
Bucharest is divided into six administrative areas. Somewhat wedge-shaped, they are grouped in a vaguely circular way; narrow at the centre, where they join inexactly, then swelling outwards. The roads, too, follow this pattern, spreading outwards from the centre of the city like the spokes on a wheel. Connecting side streets fill in the spaces, making the city map look very like a spiders web, or - a lake!
