Abandoned Shopping Center in Bucharest, Romania

Our 3rd episode of ‘Abandoned places in Romania’ features the big, ex - center shop in Bucharest. You can find this massive building on ‘Piata Romana’ boulevard.

After nationalization, the building was transformed in Universal Shop of Bucharest, one of the biggest commercial shops in the capital city. Here you could find anything, from clothes to musical instruments, photo cameras and electronics. Nowadays, there is a dispute going on between several parties for the ownership of the building.

It didn’t take me long to find the old advertisements of this shopping center. It was open every day from 8 AM to 9 PM.

I came to see the latest trend in the fashion industry. Above the elevators, there was a sign with a summary of all the brands that had a shop there back in the days.

I wanted to take the elevator, but here I am, standing right above it. Massive floors make this building look like a dead dinosaur.

Countless stairs, typical for a shopping center. Unable to take the elevator, I had to go on stairs to the first levels. I was waiting for someone to pop up and invite me to their stand.

But nobody was home. The old walls and their graffiti was the only sign of the time passing by.

Along with graffiti, you can notice these windows, left unbroken. They contain images of children, mostly because this was the floor designed for kids, containing a lot of toys.

I’ve wanted to check the roof and take some fresh air. I went directly to the last floor to see the sunset from up there.

Here I am, on the roof watching a beautiful sunset. Once I’ve finished my beer, I still had enough light to get out of the building.
I am happy I could see the beauty of this place that was once filled with people shopping.