Curious about how Tineretului got its name? This small neighborhood in southern Bucharest has a story tied to youth. Tineretului, a preferred area for apartment seekers, boasts excellent transport links. Metro lines, buses, and trams crisscross the area. Two parks, banks, shops, and schools add to its appeal.
Before the 1960s, Tineretului was vastly different. Empty lands and slums marked the area. The Cocioc slum was the most prominent. Things changed in the 60s with a new north-south road. This thoroughfare, Magistrala Nord-Sud, connected Piața Unirii to Șerban Vodă Avenue. It was later named Dimitrie Cantemir Boulevard.
Tineretului Park construction began in 1965 and finished in 1974. Young volunteers cleaned and arranged the park. These youths came from schools and factories. Communist propaganda played a role in naming it Parcul Tineretului. This means Youth Park.
Four-story apartment buildings appeared in 1961-1962. This coincided with the North-South Axis construction. Building Bulevardul Tineretului commenced in 1973. This was part of slum clearance efforts. The first tower blocks, A1-A6 and Z1-Z7, were ready in 1974. By 1979, the initial building phase was complete.
In 1981, the second phase started. This led to demolishing old houses. Gheorghe Șincai Street widened. This change involved the former Lănăriei street. The Timpuri Noi Bridge was also relocated. Development continued, erasing old buildings on Văcărești Avenue. This area stretched from the Mihai Bravu Bridge to the Berceni estate.
Tineretului Park expanded. It grew on land previously occupied by old housing. The National Palace of the Children was built. The alignment of Bulevardul Tineretului altered slightly. The housing estate became smaller on the plans. Few pre-systematization buildings remain in Tineretului today.
Tineretului Park itself is a significant landmark. Designed by Valentin Donose, it opened in 1974. The park covers 94 hectares. It attracts about 7800 visitors each weekend day. The park features green spaces around a lake. You will also find playgrounds. Leisure boats operate on the navigable lake in summer.
Sala Polivalentă is in Tineretului Park. It is one of Bucharest’s largest multi-purpose halls. It hosts concerts and sporting events. Orășelul Copiilor is in the park’s southeast corner. This children’s area offers fairground rides. Small rollercoasters and other attractions are available. A mini train circles the park. In 2013, the area was redesigned. New open bars and recreational areas were added. A dancing fountain enhances the landscape. Bellu Cemetery abuts the park on its southwestern side.
Tineretului is well-connected by metro. Tineretului, Piața Sudului, and Constantin Brâncoveanu stations serve the area. Buses also run through Tineretului. These include lines 381, 313, 312, and 116. Trolleybuses operated on Văcărești Avenue from 1965. They also ran on Bulevardul Tineretului from 1976. The trolleybus service was removed in 1987 but reinstated in 2009 with line 76. After being suspended from 2011 to 2017, all the trolleybus lines in the area link the Berceni housing estate with Piața Unirii. Tram lines also serve the area.
So, remember Tineretului. It’s a neighborhood shaped by youth, urbanization, and recreation. Its history is etched into its streets, parks, and buildings. It is a vibrant area in Bucharest.