Bucharest's Parliamentary Palace, commissioned by former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, is said to be the world's third biggest building by volume.
Monument to megalomania —
Bucharest's Parliamentary Palace, commissioned by former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, is said to be the world's third biggest building by volume.
John Malathronas
The carpet in the palace's Union Hall weighs 1.5 tons. The whole building uses 220,000 square meters of carpet, 3,500 tons of crystal and one million cubic meters of marble.
Union Hall —
The carpet in the palace's Union Hall weighs 1.5 tons. The whole building uses 220,000 square meters of carpet, 3,500 tons of crystal and one million cubic meters of marble.
John Malathronas
Today the building houses Romania's democratic parliamentary houses and a modern art museum, but 70% stands empty.
Empty space —
Today the building houses Romania's democratic parliamentary houses and a modern art museum, but 70% stands empty.
John Malathronas
This theater within the palace gives some idea of the scale an opulence of the building which today costs $6 million a year to keep running.
Palace Theater —
This theater within the palace gives some idea of the scale an opulence of the building which today costs $6 million a year to keep running.
John Malathronas
Ceausescu, who was touchy about his small stature, had staircases in the palace rebuilt twice to accommodate his step.
Out of step —
Ceausescu, who was touchy about his small stature, had staircases in the palace rebuilt twice to accommodate his step.
John Malathronas
A monument symbolizing the collapse of communism stands in Romania's Revolution Square, where hundreds were shot dead just a few days before Ceausescu's demise.
Revolution Square —
A monument symbolizing the collapse of communism stands in Romania's Revolution Square, where hundreds were shot dead just a few days before Ceausescu's demise.
John Malathronas
After the army turned against them, Ceausescu and his wife Elena were executed on December 25, 1989.
Ceusescu's end —
After the army turned against them, Ceausescu and his wife Elena were executed on December 25, 1989.
Keystone/Getty Images
Gabriel points to the spot in Ghencea cemetery where Ceausescu was originally buried in an unmarked grave.
Vacant gravesite —
Gabriel points to the spot in Ghencea cemetery where Ceausescu was originally buried in an unmarked grave.
John Malathronas
The remains of the Ceausescus were disinterred in 2010 and reburied at the request of their son Valentin.
Final resting place —
The remains of the Ceausescus were disinterred in 2010 and reburied at the request of their son Valentin.
John Malathronas
The dictator's villa in leafy northern Bucharest is now an embassy building, housing Kuwait's diplomatic mission.
Ceausescu's villa —
The dictator's villa in leafy northern Bucharest is now an embassy building, housing Kuwait's diplomatic mission.
John Malathronas