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Coordinates: 44°28′51.36″N 26°4′16.35″E / 44.4809333°N 26.0712083°E / 44.4809333; 26.0712083
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{{Short description|Building in Bucharest, Romania}}
[[Image:Casa Scanteii 02 bgiu.jpg|thumb|250px|Casa Presei Libere, as seen from [[Herăstrău]]]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
'''Casa Presei Libere''' (The House of the Free Press) is a building in northern [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]], the tallest in the city between 1956 and 2007.
{{Infobox Historic building
|name = House of the Free Press
|native_name = {{lang|ro|Casa Presei Libere}}
|native_name_lang = ro
|former_name = {{lang|ro|Casa Scînteii}}
|image =Casa Presei Libere, Bucuresti, 2016.jpg
|caption =
|map_type =
|coordinates = {{coord|44.480907|26.071261|display=inline}}
|location_town = [[Bucharest]]
|location_country = Romania
|architect = {{ill|Horia Maicu|ro}}
|client =
|engineer = {{ill|Panaite C. Mazilu|ro}}
|construction_start_date = 1952
|completion_date = 1957
|date_demolished =
|cost =
|structural_system =
⚫
|style = [[Stalinist architecture]]
|size =
|height = {{convert|104|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|floor_area = {{convert|32000|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}}
}}


The '''House of the Free Press''' ({{langx|ro|Casa Presei Libere}}), known under Communist rule as '''Casa Scînteii''', 'House of ''The Spark'' (newspaper)', is a building in northern [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]], the tallest in the city between 1956 and 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://evz.ro/infama-poveste-a-casei-presei-libere-fosta-casa-scanteii.html|title=Infama poveste a Casei Presei Libere, fostă Casa Scânteii|newspaper=[[Evenimentul Zilei]]|language=Romanian|date=November 20, 2016|access-date=January 29, 2023}}</ref>
⚫
A [[horse racing|horse race track]] was built in 1905 on the future site of Casa Presei Libere. A third of the track was removed in 1950 to make way for a wing of the building, and the race track was finally closed and demolished in 1960, after a decision by [[Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej]].<ref>[http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/825200/Povestea-unei-lumi-disparute-cursele-de-cai-din-Romania/ "Povestea unei lumi dispărute: cursele de cai din România"], ''Evenimentul Zilei'', October 21, 2008</ref>


==History==
⚫
Construction began in [[1952]] and was completed in [[1956]]. The building was named ''Combinatul Poligrafic Casa Scînteii "I.V.Stalin"'' and later ''Casa Scînteii'' (''[[Scînteia]]'' was the name of the [[Romanian Communist Party]]'s official newspaper). It was designed by the architect [[Horia Maicu]], in the pure (albeit comparatively small-scale) style of [[Stalinist architecture|Soviet]] [[Socialist realism]], resembling the main building of the [[Moscow State University]], and was intended to house all of Bucharest's printing presses, the newsrooms and their staff.
⚫
A [[horse racing|horse race track]] was built in 1905 on the future site of the House of the Free Press. A third of the track was removed in 1950 to make way for a wing of the building, and the race track was finally closed and demolished in 1960, after a decision by [[Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej]].<ref>[http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/825200/Povestea-unei-lumi-disparute-cursele-de-cai-din-Romania/ "Povestea unei lumi dispărute: cursele de cai din România"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021200554/http://www.evz.ro/articole/detalii-articol/825200/Povestea-unei-lumi-disparute-cursele-de-cai-din-Romania/ |date=October 21, 2008 }}, ''[[Evenimentul Zilei]]'', October 21, 2008</ref>


⚫
Construction began in 1952 and was completed in 1956. The building was named ''Combinatul Poligrafic Casa Scînteii "I.V.Stalin"'' and later ''Casa Scînteii'' (''[[Scînteia]]'' was the name of the [[Romanian Communist Party]]'s official newspaper). It was designed by the architect {{ill|Horia Maicu|ro}}, in the [[Stalinist architecture|Stalinist style]] of [[Socialist realism]], resembling the main building of the [[Moscow State University]], and was intended to house all of Bucharest's printing presses, the newsrooms and their staff.
[[Image:Lenin statue pulled down.jpg|thumb|left|Lenin's statue being pulled down]]

It has a foundation with an area of 280x260m, the total constructed surface is {{convert|32000|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}} and it has a volume of 735,000 m³. Its height is {{convert|91.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} without the television antenna, which measures an additional {{convert|12.4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, <ref>''Dicţionarul Enciclopedic Romîn'', 1962</ref> bringing the total height to {{convert|104|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.
It has a foundation with an area of {{convert|280|x|260|m}}, the total constructed surface is {{convert|32000|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}} and it has a volume of {{convert|735000|m3|abbr=on}}. Its height is {{convert|91.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} without the television antenna, which measures an additional {{convert|12.4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}},<ref>''Dicționarul Enciclopedic Romîn'', 1962</ref> bringing the total height to {{convert|104|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.


Between 1952 and 1966, Casa Scînteii was featured on the reverse of the 100 [[Romanian leu|lei]] banknote.
Between 1952 and 1966, Casa Scînteii was featured on the reverse of the 100 [[Romanian leu|lei]] banknote.


On 21 April 1960, a giant statue of [[Vladimir Lenin]], made by Romanian sculptor [[Boris Caragea]], was placed in front of the building. However, this statue was removed on 3 March 1990, following the [[Romanian Revolution of 1989]].<ref>"Epilog la o statuie", ''[[România Liberă]]'', 4 March 1990.</ref> The statue's pedestal is still there.
On 21 April 1960, a statue of [[Vladimir Lenin]], made by Romanian sculptor [[Boris Caragea]], was placed in front of the building. However, this statue was removed on 3 March 1990, following the [[Romanian Revolution of 1989]].<ref>"Epilog la o statuie", ''[[România Liberă]]'', 4 March 1990.</ref> On 30 May 2016, the Monument of the Anti-Communist Fight ("Wings") was inaugurated in the same place.


It has basically the same role nowadays, with many of today's newspapers having their headquarters in the same building, now renamed ''Casa Presei Libere'' ("The House of the Free Press"). The [[Bucharest Stock Exchange]] (''Bursa de Valori Bucureşti'', BVB - in [[Romanian language|Romanian]]) was located in the southern wing at one point. The BVB is now located off the 5 and 16 tram lines between [[Piaţa Unirii]] and somewhat close to the [[University Square, Bucharest|University Square]].
Renamed {{lang|ro|Casa Presei Libere}} ("House of the Free Press"), the building has basically the same role nowadays, with many of today's newspapers having their headquarters in it. The [[Bucharest Stock Exchange]] (''Bursa de Valori București'', BVB) was located in the Southern wing at one point.


As of 2023, the House of the Free Press is the only building in Bucharest that has kept the [[hammer and sickle]] communist symbol, which appears on [[relief]]s on its [[façade]].<ref name="EI">{{cite news|url=https://evenimentulistoric.ro/singura-cladire-din-bucuresti-care-mai-pastreaza-secera-si-ciocanul.html|title=Singura clădire din București care mai păstrează secera și ciocanul|language=Romanian|newspaper=Evenimentul Istoric|first=Cristian-Alexandru|last=Barbu|date=April 27, 2023|access-date=January 23, 2024}}</ref>
⚫
<gallery>

Image:Casa_Scanteii.jpg|Frontal view
⚫
<gallery>
Image:Casa Scânteii.jpg|Casa Scînteii in the 1980s
⚫
File:ROL 100 1952 reverse.jpg|Casa Scînteii on the reverse of a 100-lei banknote, 1952
Image:Parcul Herastrau.jpg|The building seen from [[Herăstrău Park]]
File:Bukarest, Románia. A Szabad Sajtó háza, a volt Scânteia-ház. Fortepan 84528.jpg|Gathering of Romanian [[Pioneer Organization|young pioneers]] at Lenin's statue in front of the Casa Scînteii in 1977
Image:Casa_Presei_Libere.jpg|[View from the Triumph Arch with the Kiseleff Boulevard and Casa Presei Libere of Bucharest
File:House of Free Press.jpg|The House of the Free Press and the "Wings" Monument
Image:Secera si ciocanul Casa Scanteii.jpg|[[Hammer and sickle]] ornament
File:House of the Spark (Casa Scânteii) (5723590216).jpg|General view from the Free Press Square
⚫
Image:ROL 100 1952 reverse.jpg|Casa Scînteii on the reverse of a 100-lei banknote, 1952
File:PMadia 000269 NA NA.jpg|View of building some time after 1990
File:Five-pointed star. And grapes. (6938852169).jpg|Five-pointed star on the façade
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
* [[Seven Sisters (Moscow)]]
⚫
* [[Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw]]
* [[Socialist realism in Romania]]
* [[Socialist realism in Romania]]
*Lomonosov University-style Stalinist buildings
⚫
** [[Seven Sisters (Moscow)]]
⚫
** [[Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw]]
** [[Grand Hotel International Prague]]
** [[Latvian Academy of Sciences]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat-inline}}
*{{commonscat-inline|Casa Presei Libere|House of the Free Press}}

{{coord|44|28|51.36|N|26|4|16.35|E|display=title}}
{{coord|44|28|51.36|N|26|4|16.35|E|display=title}}

⚫
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bucharest]]
[[Category:Skyscrapers in Romania]]
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[[Category:Stalinist architecture]]
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[[Category:Socialist realism]]
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[[Category:1956 architecture]]


{{Tall buildings in Bucharest}}
{{Tall buildings in Bucharest}}
{{Tall buildings in Romania}}
{{Tall buildings in Romania}}


⚫
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Bucharest]]
[[ar:بيت الصحافة الحرة]]
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[[Category:Stalinist architecture]]
[[nl:Casa Presei Libere]]
⚫
[[Category:Socialist realism]]
[[ro:Casa Scânteii]]
[[Category:Commercial buildings completed in 1956]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1956]]

Latest revision as of 01:25, 7 November 2024

House of the Free Press
Casa Presei Libere
Map
Former namesCasa Scînteii
General information
Architectural styleStalinist architecture
Town or cityBucharest
CountryRomania
Coordinates44°28′51″N 26°04′17″E / 44.480907°N 26.071261°E / 44.480907; 26.071261
Construction started1952
Completed1957
Height104 m (341 ft)
Technical details
Floor area32,000 m2 (344,445 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Horia Maicu [ro]
EngineerPanaite C. Mazilu [ro]

The House of the Free Press (Romanian: Casa Presei Libere), known under Communist rule as Casa Scînteii, 'House of The Spark (newspaper)', is a building in northern Bucharest, Romania, the tallest in the city between 1956 and 2007.[1]

History

[edit]

A horse race track was built in 1905 on the future site of the House of the Free Press. A third of the track was removed in 1950 to make way for a wing of the building, and the race track was finally closed and demolished in 1960, after a decision by Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej.[2]

Construction began in 1952 and was completed in 1956. The building was named Combinatul Poligrafic Casa Scînteii "I.V.Stalin" and later Casa Scînteii (Scînteia was the name of the Romanian Communist Party's official newspaper). It was designed by the architect Horia Maicu [ro], in the Stalinist style of Socialist realism, resembling the main building of the Moscow State University, and was intended to house all of Bucharest's printing presses, the newsrooms and their staff.

It has a foundation with an area of 280 by 260 metres (920 ft × 850 ft), the total constructed surface is 32,000 m2 (344,445 sq ft) and it has a volume of 735,000 m3 (26,000,000 cu ft). Its height is 91.6 m (301 ft) without the television antenna, which measures an additional 12.4 m (41 ft),[3] bringing the total height to 104 m (341 ft).

Between 1952 and 1966, Casa Scînteii was featured on the reverse of the 100 lei banknote.

On 21 April 1960, a statue of Vladimir Lenin, made by Romanian sculptor Boris Caragea, was placed in front of the building. However, this statue was removed on 3 March 1990, following the Romanian Revolution of 1989.[4] On 30 May 2016, the Monument of the Anti-Communist Fight ("Wings") was inaugurated in the same place.

Renamed Casa Presei Libere ("House of the Free Press"), the building has basically the same role nowadays, with many of today's newspapers having their headquarters in it. The Bucharest Stock Exchange (Bursa de Valori București, BVB) was located in the Southern wing at one point.

As of 2023, the House of the Free Press is the only building in Bucharest that has kept the hammer and sickle communist symbol, which appears on reliefs on its façade.[5]

  • Casa Scînteii on the reverse of a 100-lei banknote, 1952
    Casa Scînteii on the reverse of a 100-lei banknote, 1952
  • Gathering of Romanian young pioneers at Lenin's statue in front of the Casa Scînteii in 1977
    Gathering of Romanian young pioneers at Lenin's statue in front of the Casa Scînteii in 1977
  • The House of the Free Press and the "Wings" Monument
    The House of the Free Press and the "Wings" Monument
  • General view from the Free Press Square
    General view from the Free Press Square
  • View of building some time after 1990
    View of building some time after 1990
  • Five-pointed star on the façade
    Five-pointed star on the façade

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Infama poveste a Casei Presei Libere, fostă Casa Scânteii". Evenimentul Zilei (in Romanian). 20 November 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Povestea unei lumi dispărute: cursele de cai din România" Archived October 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Evenimentul Zilei, October 21, 2008
  3. ^ Dicționarul Enciclopedic Romîn, 1962
  4. ^ "Epilog la o statuie", România Liberă, 4 March 1990.
  5. ^ Barbu, Cristian-Alexandru (27 April 2023). "Singura clădire din București care mai păstrează secera și ciocanul". Evenimentul Istoric (in Romanian). Retrieved 23 January 2024.
[edit]

44°28′51.36″N 26°4′16.35″E / 44.4809333°N 26.0712083°E / 44.4809333; 26.0712083

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=House_of_the_Free_Press&oldid=1255863372"