Nestled in the landscaped recesses of Herăstrău Park, this open-air museum lends moving glimpses into the country’s intrinsic rural life. Birthed in 1936 by Dimitri Gusti along with other noted Romanian personalities, this life-sized museum lies nestled in the very heart of bustling Bucharest. Spreading over 1,00,000 square meters (1076391.04 square feet), this ethnographic museum harbors an intricate nexus of original, traditionally-built edifices including churches, homesteads, peasant dwellings, sheds, stables and verandas, among others. The museum is cradled on the tranquil shores of Lake Herastrau, and spans many facets of Romanian countryside, including arts, anthropology, history and culture, among others. Strewn across the course of the museum are motley antiquated buildings awash in rustic, provincial architecture, intriguing artifacts and thousands and thousands of village documents. Complete with elaborate exhibits, extensive, heritage collections and a gallery where the art of crafting objects is illustrated by peasants themselves, the museum is a hive of events, activities, workshops and courses which unravel the finer nuances of the country’s remote cultures. Village Museum is also home to the La Bariera Inn which serves up some appetizing, delectable and authentic Romanian dishes.
