Macca-Vilacrosse Passage | Bucharest

Physical & Material Composition

The structure is a fork-shaped arcade consisting of two main branches, Macca and Vilacrosse, joined by a central rotunda. It is covered by a yellow glass roof supported by a wrought-iron frame, which creates a distinct ochre illumination. The facades are constructed from brick and mortar with decorative stucco ornaments in the Beaux-Arts style. The floor is paved with granite setts and ceramic tiles, while the interior passages are lined with semi-circular arches and elaborate corbels.

Geographical Location

The Macca - Vilacrosse Passage is located in Sector 3 of Bucharest, with entrances at Calea Victoriei 16 and Strada Lipscani. It is situated 250 meters north of the National Bank of Romania and 400 meters south of the Cercul Militar Național. The passage coordinates are 44°26′00″N 26°05′55″E. It sits within the western boundary of the city's Old Town (Centrul Vechi) district.

Access Logistics

Pedestrian access is available 24 hours a day through three separate portals located on Calea Victoriei, Strada Eugeniu Carada, and Strada Lipscani. The nearest transit point is the Universitate Metro Station (Line M2), located 350 meters to the northeast. Bus lines 122, 137, and 138 stop at the Piața 21 Decembrie 1989 station, requiring a 5-minute walk to the western entrance. The passage floor maintains a level grade, though the surrounding sidewalks on Calea Victoriei have standard 15cm curb heights.

Historical Markers

Architect Felix Barnett designed the passage, which was constructed between 1890 and 1891. The site previously housed the Câmpineanu Inn, which was demolished to facilitate the arcade's development. It was named after Mihail Macca, the son-in-law of the site's owner, and Xavier Vilacrosse, a Catalan architect who had served as the city's chief architect. During the communist era, the passage was renamed Pasajul Bijuteria (Jewelry Passage), but the original name was restored after 1989.

Insider Observation

The central rotunda features a 6-sided glass dome where the iron structural ribs meet at a circular central hub. On the walls of the Vilacrosse branch, small iron hooks used for historical gas lighting remain embedded in the masonry at a height of 2.5 meters. A 2cm fracture is present in the third glass pane from the bottom on the southeastern section of the roof. The stone thresholds at the Lipscani entrance exhibit asymmetrical wear patterns, with a 3cm deeper groove on the right-hand side.

Surrounding Environmental Context

The passage is bordered to the west by Calea Victoriei and to the south by the National Museum of Romanian History. Immediate businesses include the Blues Cafe, Valley of the Kings (Valea Regilor), and several Egyptian-themed hookah lounges. Vegetation is absent within the passage, but the nearby Colțea Park features specimens of Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse-chestnut). The Pasajul Victoria is located 200 meters to the north.