Savings Bank Palace (CEC Palace)

The Savings Bank Palace (CEC Palace) is one of the one of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest. The building was completed in 1900 according to the plans of the French architect Paul Gottereau and under the supervision of the Romanian architect Ion Socolescu.

Before the construction of the palace, on that place there was a church and an inn, both demolished in 1875.

The palace was built in the eclectic style and it has an impressive dome in the center made by glass and metal which allows natural light to flow inside and 4 small domes on each corner of the building. The main entrance of the palace with its facade reminds the viewer about the architecture of Paris.

Since the opening, the building was used by CEC Bank (the former state savings bank). In 2006 CEC Palace was sold to the municipality of Bucharest to host a museum.

Because the palace is still used as headquarter of CEC Bank, it cannot be visited entirely. You can only visit the CEC Museum located in the main hall of the building where you can admire the beauty of the interior and also some of the original documents of financial transactions from the early years of the bank, a collection of bank products since the 1880s until today, "piggy banks" and safes, postcards, badges, stamps, commemorative medals etc.

Across the street we find The National Museum of Romanian History and The Old Town area.