Could this unassuming monument be the heart of Romania? This is the Kilometrul 0 al Democrației Sculpture. It marks Romania’s Kilometrul Zero.
For those unfamiliar with the concept Kilometrul Zero is a location from which all road distances are measured. It is usually in the country’s capital. This spot is signaled by a marker or monument. Here in Bucharest that monument is right here.
The Kilometrul 0 al Democrației Sculpture stands in downtown Bucharest. It is in front of New Saint George Church. The city hall decided to erect a monument on this spot at the beginning of 1937. This military stone was supposed to be ready by May 9th 1937. The monument’s inauguration actually took place more than half a century later in 1998.
The monument was supposed to include a circular stone basin. It would have a wind rose. Mosaics with the names and coats of arms of the Romanian provinces were to be in between the spokes of the rose. The artist imagined a sphere in the center of the monument. On top of the sphere would be the statue of Saint George killing the dragon.
The Romanian Church initially agreed with the project. It then changed its mind. The church opposed the statue. They invoked the second commandment. For the Orthodox church this is You shall not make for yourself an idol.
The sculptor Constantin Baraschi changed the project. Instead of Saint George he proposed that the sphere carry the statue of Prince Charming killing the dragon. The project was still rejected. Before further changes could be made war started.
After the war Bessarabia and Bukovina remained under Russian control. Their coats of arms and names could not be admitted on the monument. The sphere was taken away. After 1950 the monument was covered with earth.
The project was restarted after 1990. The basin and the wind rose were dug up. There is a metallic zodiac sphere in the center of the monument. Nobody is killing the dragon on top of it. The monument was inaugurated on June 9th 1998. This was 61 years after its deadline.
The historical provinces of Bessarabia and Bukovina do appear on the monument. They are not part of Romania anymore. Among the cities inscribed on the stone basin are Chișinău, Orhei and Tighina. These are currently in the Republic of Moldova. Bazargic and Silistra are also inscribed. These are now part of Bulgaria. They were part of Greater Romania from 1913 to 1940.
The Kilometrul 0 al Democrației Sculpture is divided into eight sections. Each represents a Romanian historical province. These are Muntenia, Dobruja, Bessarabia, Moldavia, Bukovina, Transylvania, Banat and Oltenia.
The distances from Bucharest to other cities in Romania are measured from this monument. It stands as a testament to Romania’s past. It also represents the starting point for all journeys within the country. Take a moment to appreciate this spot the Kilometrul 0 al Democrației Sculpture a place where history and geography intertwine.