Information
Landmark: Old Town (Lipscani)City: Bucharest
Country: Romania
Continent: Europe
Old Town (Lipscani), Bucharest, Romania, Europe
Physical & Material Composition
The Lipscani district occupies a 0.77-square-kilometer zone characterized by a high-density grid of medieval and 19th-century commercial structures. Buildings predominantly utilize load-bearing brick masonry, often reinforced with timber or iron tie-rods. Foundations in this sector consist of river stone and lime mortar, extending 3 to 5 meters below the current street level.
The street surfaces are paved with granite cobblestones and basalt pavers installed during the 2011 rehabilitation project. Average building heights range from 12 to 18 meters, typically comprising two to four stories. Facades exhibit a mix of Neoclassical and French Academic styles, featuring decorative stucco molding and wrought-iron balconies.
Geographical Coordinates
Lipscani is located in Sector 3 of Bucharest, bounded by Calea Victoriei to the west and Bulevardul I.C. Brătianu to the east. The district center is recorded at 44°25′54″N latitude and 26°06′07″E longitude. The northern boundary is defined by Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta, while the Dâmbovița River marks the southern perimeter.
The district is situated 600 meters southeast of the University of Bucharest. It lies 400 meters east of the Cișmigiu Gardens. The Piata Unirii transportation interchange is located 300 meters south of the Lipscani-Brătianu intersection.
Access Logistics
Vehicle traffic is prohibited on 27 streets within the district, which are designated as exclusive pedestrian zones. Public transit access is primarily via the Piata Unirii (M1, M2, M3 lines) or Universitate (M2 line) Metro stations. STB bus lines 104 and 123 service the southern perimeter along Splaiul Independenței.
The terrain is a flat alluvial plain with a 2-meter elevation drop toward the Dâmbovița River. Entry points for emergency vehicles are located at the intersections of Strada Lipscani with Calea Victoriei and Bulevardul Brătianu. Parking is unavailable within the interior grid, with the closest multi-level facility located at the Universitate underground lot.
Historical Markers
The district derives its name from "Leipzig," referring to the German city from which local merchants imported textiles in the 17th century. The Curtea Veche (Old Princely Court) was established here in 1459 by Vlad III Dracula. In 1833, the Hanul lui Manuc (Manuc's Inn) was completed, serving as the site for the 1812 Treaty of Bucharest.
Large-scale modernization occurred between 1860 and 1900, replacing timber structures with stone and brick edifices. The National Bank of Romania building was constructed between 1884 and 1890 on the site of the former Hanul Șerban Vodă. The area was designated a protected historical zone in 1990 to prevent the demolition of the remaining 19th-century architecture.
Insider Observation
A specific 1.5-meter segment of the original 16th-century river-stone wall of the Curtea Veche is visible through a glass floor panel at the intersection of Strada Franceză and Strada Poștei. The Hanul cu Tei features a series of 19th-century iron shutters with visible forge-marks on the hinges.
Individual pavers on Strada Stavropoleos contain brass plaques marking the location of demolished structures. On the northern facade of the National Bank, a small 10-centimeter copper drainage pipe features the stamped year "1888." Moss species such as Bryum argenteum grow in the shaded mortar gaps on the northern side of the Stavropoleos Monastery wall.
Surrounding Environmental Context
The Dâmbovița River flows 100 meters south of the district's southern edge. The National Museum of Romanian History is situated on the western boundary at Calea Victoriei 12. To the north, the University of Bucharest and the National Theatre "I.L. Caragiale" border the district.
Vegetation is limited to Tilia cordata (lime trees) planted in the small courtyard of the Stavropoleos Church and localized specimens of Platanus orientalis. The area is bordered by the Colțea Hospital to the northeast and the CEC Palace to the west. Local infrastructure includes the Bucharest Municipality Museum located in the Șuțu Palace at the northeastern corner.
