King Michael I Park (Herăstrău): 187 Hectares in North Bucharest

A park of 187 hectares

King Michael I of Romania Park, also still called Herăstrău, is in the north of Bucharest, on the shores of the lake of the same name. It covers 187 hectares in total, about 74 of which are lake. The lake is part of the chain of lakes built on the Colentina River.

How it came about

Before 1930, the area was marshland. The land was drained between 1930 and 1935, and a few dozen poor houses and an industrial enterprise were expropriated. The park was laid out starting in 1936 and opened to the public in May 1939. The hydraulic works of those years were led by engineer Nicolae Caranfil.

The plans are by architects Ernest Pinard and Friedrich Rebhuhn. Rebhuhn designed the planting composition.

Changes of name

The park has also been called Carol II Park, National Park and I. V. Stalin Park. According to Wikipedia, the name Herăstrău has been used since 1956, after the statue of Stalin was torn down. On December 19, 2017, the Bucharest General Council decided to rename it King Michael I of Romania Park.

What you will find today

The park is home to the “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum, founded in 1936 on the initiative of Professor Dimitrie Gusti. There is also a summer theater, a Japanese garden, a yacht club and an alley of Japanese cherry trees planted in 2009. Small boats are allowed on the lake. The park is a historic monument, listed under code B-II-a-A-18802 in the List of Historic Monuments.

Frequently asked questions

How large is Herăstrău Park?

It covers 187 hectares, and the lake takes up about 74 of them.

When was Herăstrău laid out?

The area was drained between 1930 and 1935. The park was laid out starting in 1936 and opened to the public in May 1939.

Why is it called King Michael I Park?

Because the Bucharest General Council renamed the park on December 19, 2017, in memory of the late King Michael I. The old name, Herăstrău, is still in use.