Triumphal Arch (Arcul de Triumf) | Bucharest

Physical & Material Composition

The monument stands at a total height of 27 meters with a rectangular footprint measuring 25 meters by 11.50 meters. The internal structure consists of reinforced concrete, while the exterior cladding is composed of Decebal travertine and Ruschița marble. Sculptural reliefs on the facades were executed by artists including Ion Jalea and Cornel Medrea. The central archway spans a width of 10 meters and a height of 17 meters. Bronze medallions depicting King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie are mounted on the northern and southern faces.

Geographical Location

The structure is located in the northern sector of Bucharest at the center of a circular intersection where Șoseaua Pavel D. Kiseleff, Bulevardul Mareșal Constantin Prezan, and Bulevardul Alexandru Constantinescu converge. It is positioned 2.2 kilometers north of Piața Victoriei. The GPS coordinates are 44°28′02″N 26°04′42″E. The monument aligns directly with the House of the Free Press to the north.

Access Logistics

Pedestrian access to the monument interior is restricted to specific national holidays or scheduled exhibitions via a subterranean passage under the roundabout. The nearest rail infrastructure is the Aviatorilor Metro Station (Line M2), located 1.1 kilometers east. Bus lines 131, 331, and 335 maintain stops at the Arcul de Triumf station on the perimeter of the intersection. A granite-paved walkway encircles the base, though high-volume vehicular traffic creates a constant barrier.

Historical Markers

The initial temporary wooden structure was erected in 1878 following the Romanian War of Independence. A second temporary arch was built in 1922 for the coronation of the Romanian monarchs. The current permanent stone edifice was designed by architect Petre Antonescu and inaugurated on December 1, 1936. Extensive structural consolidation and facade cleaning using laser technology and micro-sandblasting were completed between 2014 and 2016.

Insider Observation

Inside the southern pillar, a spiral staircase consists of exactly 108 steps leading to the roof terrace. A small bronze plaque on the interior wall of the archway contains the name of the foundry responsible for the metalwork ornaments. On the eastern facade, at a height of approximately 1.5 meters, a 3cm bore hole remains from a previous seismic monitoring sensor installation. The rooftop features four lightning rods integrated into the stone parapet.

Surrounding Environmental Context

The monument is bordered to the north by Herăstrău Park (King Michael I Park), which contains the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum. To the south, the Șoseaua Kiseleff is lined with Tilia platyphyllos (Large-leaved Lime) trees. The French Embassy and the Al-Quds Mosque are located within a 500-meter radius. The Bucharest Agronomy University campus occupies the northwestern quadrant of the surrounding district.