Palace of Ministry Internal Affairs

Have you ever wondered about the secrets hidden behind the imposing facade of the Palace of the Ministry of Internal Affairs? This grand building, located in Revolution Square, has witnessed pivotal moments in Romania’s history. The Palace of the Ministry of Internal Affairs wasn’t always the home of the ministry. Its story begins in 1912 when the Parliament approved its construction. The old ministry headquarters were no longer sufficient. Construction finally started in 1938 under King Carol II’s orders, following the design of architect Paul Smărăndescu. The design was inspired by the Detlev-Rohwedder-Haus in Berlin and the state security building in Bratislava, with Emil Prager as head engineer. World War II interrupted construction, delaying its completion until 1950. Interestingly, during the war, it served as a bomb shelter. The Palace of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was home to the Ministry from 1950 to 1958. Then, during the communist era, from 1958 to 1989, it became the headquarters of the Romanian Communist Party’s Central Committee. This building was more than just offices. It was a place of power, a symbol of the regime. Within these walls, decisions were made that shaped the lives of millions. From 1945 to 1964, the building held a darker secret. Political detainees were held and interrogated in its cells. The first-floor cells, ironically nicknamed “flats”, and the basement cells, called “undersea”, bore witness to countless stories of suffering. A concrete bunk bed, table, two stools, and a constantly lit bulb were the only furnishings in each cell. On August 21, 1968, a pivotal moment occurred. Nicolae Ceaușescu, from the balcony of the Palace of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, delivered a defiant speech against the Soviet Union during the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia. This act of defiance would define his 24-year rule. The Palace of the Ministry of Internal Affairs witnessed another dramatic event on December 22, 1989, during the Romanian Revolution. A helicopter carrying Ceaușescu and his wife, Elena, took off from the palace roof, marking the end of their reign and a turning point in Romanian history. Following the revolution, the building transitioned into the Senate’s home until 2006. It then returned to its original purpose, housing the Ministry of Internal Affairs once again. The adjacent wings now house the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. The Palace of the Ministry of Internal Affairs stands as a testament to Romania’s tumultuous past and its journey towards democracy. From a planned ministry building to a communist headquarters and finally back to its original purpose, its walls echo with the stories of a nation’s struggles and triumphs.