Metropolitanate Hill

The Metropolitanate Hill is as significant to Romania and Romanian Orthodox as Vatican City is to Italy and Catholic religion, even though it is not an independent state. The most notable building is the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral, built between 1654 and 1658, but declared a patriarchate only in 1925. A visit to see the interior is advised, even if there is no celebration, to admire the beautiful frescoes and to get a feel of Romanian Orthodox architecture. You might be lucky to catch one of the religious services, and can stand silently aside while enjoying the copious amounts of incense, the dim light of several candles, and the extravagant clothing of the pastors. Be warned that Orthodox masses can last over 3 hours, so you better don't get hypnotised by the mystic atmosphere if you still want to see the rest of the city.

On top of the Metropolitanate Hill is located the former Palace of the Chamber of Deputies, built in 1907 in Neoclassical style and used for political functions until it was moved to the Palace of the Parliament. The Patriarchal Palace, the bell tower and several monuments complete the panorama on top of the hill. During the anniversary of the Protector of Bucharest, St Demetrius, people line up to kiss the reliquiae of the saint and form several-metres-long queue with some of the believers even camping for hours so as not to loose their hardly obtained priority entrance.
The closest metro station is Piata Unirii, a few hundred metres away.