Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei)

Just north of the Old Town, this was the site where in 1989, about 100,000 men and women bought in to cheer for former leader Nicolae Ceaușescu turned to taunt him, and the jeers soon erupted into a riot. Now the Memorial of Rebirth, a 25-metre-high obelisk, stands tall. The Memorial commemorates the victims of the Romanian Revolution but its design has sparked controversy and it remains unpopular. Surrounding buildings include the ornate Atheneum concert hall and the National Museum of Art of Romania. Nearby, there are several excellent galleries and smaller museums.