Palatul CEC

The CEC Palace is one of the most striking buildings on Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, raised between 1897 and 1900 as the headquarters of the Casa de Economii si Consemnatiuni, the oldest savings institution in Romania. Designed by the French architect Paul Gottereau in an eclectic style, the building impresses with its central dome of glass and metal and a monumental facade of columns and arcades. The rich ornamentation, sculpted pediments and interior staircase reflect the prosperity of a city once nicknamed Little Paris at the turn of the twentieth century.

The palace remains a symbol of the historic centre and a favourite subject for photographers. It stands opposite the former Post Office Palace, today the National History Museum, in an area dense with monuments. The interior serves banking functions, so access may be restricted.