Bucharest, Romania
This unique structure was built in 1903 by a wealthy family of Greek bankers, only to be stolen in the 1950s by the Communist regime. It was converted into a general store, then abandoned and left to rot as Communism crumbled.
The banker's grandson, who inherited the building purchased in 1903, fought for 24 years in court and untangled bureaucratic loops to reclaim it as a legal heir. In 2007, he finally gained possession of the decaying building and began its transformation into the Cărturești Carusel bookstore, which stands today.
After five years of hard work, involving 75 people who put in a total of 20,000 hours, the renovation of this shop has created a stunning bookstore that is considered one of the most beautiful in Romania and the world. Every detail has been rebuilt and customized to make it a unique experience for visitors.
The bookstore spans three floors and covers 10,000 square feet to accommodate as many books as possible. The upper levels feature elegantly curved balconies, while the middle has ample open space. On the top floor, a teahouse provides a great view of the entire store.
We are open from Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until midnight. If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting in the morning.
