Romania’s Palace of Spring open to tourists

The Palace of Spring, the ofcial residence of Nicolae Ceausescu, has opened its gilded doors to the public more than two decades after the dictator and his wife were shot dead during the 1989 communist revolt.

Ceausescu ruled Romania with an iron fist for 25 years and the palace, which features peacocks, a padded movie theatre, mosaics, and a gold bathroom, provides a window into the life of luxury and privilege he led with his wife, Elena. They were killed after a summary trial that found them guilty of “genocide” and ruining the economy, but fascination with the couple and their opulent lifestyle remains.

In the last decade of his rule, ordinary Romanians endured food rationing and electricity shortages. Ceausescu travelled extensively while most Romanians were not allowed to travel abroad.

Norbert Lendrich, 60, a German tourist visiting the palace recently, said it was good for “Romanians to see how they lived in that period and how decadently they lived. Decadence is the exact right word for this.”

The palace boasts a staircase flanked with walls covered in small disco-like gold tiles and gifts from world leaders adorn the home. Ceausescu’s office has walls of intricate carved woodwork and a huge desk. There are sumptuous silk carpets everywhere. Tickets cost from 15 lei to 45 lei (US$4-$12) for a tour of the palace.