This major cultural landmark of Bucharest can be found in a huge, impressive building, on Calea Victoriei, in itself a historical monument. The National Museum of Romanian History is representative for Romanian culture, although it is a faily new cultural institution, only opened in 1972, but over the years it has benefitted from the support of countless historians, researchers, scientists and curators. Few actually know that the building that is now the "home" of the National Museum of Romanian History was initially the Central Post Office. This beautiful buildings was the work of Alexandru Savulescu, an important Romanian architect, and was built in 1894 - 1900, on the ruins of an older inn, ravaged by a fire in 1847. The massive structure was found to be suitable for a history museum, and in the '60s - '70s preparations were made for the grand opening, which was a rather big cultural event. The neoclassical architecture, the huge proportions of the lines and forms, the large halls and flights of stairs were perfect for such a major project, and the huge number of varied exhibits found a good place to be . Unfortunatelly, the building was badly damaged in the earthquakes of 1940 and 1977. Fortunatelly, after 1989, the necessary funds for the renovation of the building were found, and now the National Museum of Romanian History in ready for it's visitors.
Founding a national museum of history was certainly an old project, first appearing in the 19th century, when in 1834 the National Museum of Natural History and Antiquity was opened, in the Sf Sava Colegium, Bucharest. This very first museum waas made possible due to the generous donation of Mihail Ghica, and official who was also a passionate collector.
This museum was opened as the first and the best museum of archaeology and history in Romania, in terms of importance, so it was no wonder that some of the most valuable artworks were brought here, especially those who also had a great financial value, to be kept and protected in a safe building. Many other artefacts, objects, documents were presented in temporary exhibitions, on loan from other prestigious museums. Unfortunatelly for those who had hoped to make this a museum for actual history, the influence of the Communist Party could not be avoided. Especially after 1978, much of the museum was dedicated to the history of the Party, which influenced all of the exhibitions, starting with the Antiquity sections. Presenting every chapter of Romanian history according to the Party's policy, distorting, exagerating or simply hiding important episodes, it was a wonder for the museum to stay open and still atract countless visitors. Yet, many saw beyond the politics and simply tried to enjoy the beautiful and unique exhibits.
The 80's were even worse, when it came to the freedom of presenting history as it was, and the Communist historians and officials intensified their pressure politics. In was only after 1989 that the National Museum of Romanian History entered a new and long awaited phase in it's history, marked by the will to change and the confusion that marked the whole society at that time. Beyond the changes of the exhibits and the general presentation, another important shift was the growing of the team, several young and well prepared specialists joining in. The main changes were the rearranging of the History Treasure, the Lapidarium and the hall with the plaster cast of Trajan's Column. Also, the museum presented several important exhibitions abroad, thus enjoying it's new found freedom, in Florence, Atlanta, Paris, Copenhagen and other countries, all with tremendous success.
2007-12-03
