Victoria Road, one of the longest and most elegant avenues in Bucharest, has a history that goes back to the reign of Constantin BrΓncoveanu (1688-1714). At the time, it was devised as a road linking the princely residence at Mogo║oaia and the princely palace in the historical centre of Bucharest. Initially paved with wooden planks, it was called the ôMogo║oaia Bridge.ö It was only at the beginning of the 19th century that the main streets of Bucharest were paved with cobblestone. Gradually, this old princely road that led to the residential areas in the north of the city was filled with beautiful and rich palaces built in the French classical style. These include the Romanit Palace (now the location of The Art Collections Museum), the Vernescu Palace (where one of the capitalÆs biggest casinos functions today), the Monteoru House (the headquarters of the Romanian Writers Union), the Cantacuzino Palace (now The ôGeorge Enescuö Museum), etc. Between the two world wars, many hotels, restaurants and cafΘs replaced older buildings, thus making this boulevard a vivid and elegant street.
