==Casa Vernescu==

Casa Vernescu Foto: Alfons Ebner, 1925. Casa Vernescu pe dreapta. Adresa: Calea Victoriei Nr. 133 Ani in existenta: 1821 - Prezent Google Maps In cladire au functionat: Autor: Cornel D. Calea Victoriei Palate/Imobile

The Vernescu House, built in 1821 by the Wallachian squire Filip Lens, son of a French nobleman, was originally a wedding present for his wife, Lisaveta Balotescu-Carpinisanu. After a devastating fire in 1822, the building was rebuilt by its owner and became the most beautiful palace in Bucharest at that time.

Over the years, the Vernescu House has housed various institutions, such as the Military College, the Ministry of War and the General Staff of the Russian Army. During this period, the great Russian writer Lev Tolstoy was among the visitors of the famous house.

The building was destroyed again in a fire in 1882, and in 1886 it was purchased by Gheorghe “Guna” Dimitrie Vernescu, lawyer and politician, who gave his name to the house. Vernescu hired architect Ion Mincu to restore the villa between 1887 and 1889, transforming it into the most impressive palace on Calea Victoriei. The restoration work included paintings by George Demetrescu Mirea, who added a touch of elegance and sparkle with gilded decorations, stained glass and massive mirrors.

However, for financial reasons, Vernescu had to sell the house. In the run-up to World War II, the building served as the headquarters for various ministries and even the Romanian government. In 1944, the Lens-Vernescu House was requisitioned by the Red Army, which damaged many of the murals. After 1945, the building was taken over by the Groza Government and served as a protocol house for various ministries until 1990. Then it became the headquarters of the Romanian Writers’ Union.

In 1993, the Vernescu House was restored in an extensive process and now houses the famous Casino Palace Bucuresti, remaining a true architectural masterpiece.