Urbex-scape Ep. 2: Miclescu Manor in its fading glory

The famous House Miclescu, also known as Giurgiuveanu family’s house from Felix and Otilia (a movie based on a novel written by George Calinescu in 1938, entitled Enigma Otiliei) is a neoromanian style jewel that once belonged to painter George Demetrescu Mirea. The plans for this building (located on Kisselef Boulevard) were executed by the architect Ion Mincu. Construction started in the year 1900 but unfortunately, had to be interrupted, as the painter didn’t have enough money to continue. The house was bought by lawyer Jean Miclescu in 1904 and the construction was finalized.

The ceiling of the main area, the ballroom was decorated with beautiful paintings made by G. D. Mirea himself.

This house was kept in the family, as Jean left the building to his son, colonel Radu Miclescu, who lived in the house alongside his wife, Elsa Florescu up to 1948. At that time, communists have confiscated the house, as Col. Radu’s disabled person pension from the First World War couldn’t cover the taxes. Apparently, he continued to live somewhere in the basement of the house, in a small room connected to a bathroom. He died there 40 years later.

Other sources tell the story differently. After his was cut off his disabled pension, the colonel has actually refused to pay the taxes for the house. This eventually led to 3 months of prison for him. As Radu Miclescu’s wife refused to leave her home as well, she was forced to move in the servants room.

In the pre-war and interwar period, this breath-taking house was the place to be in Bucharest at that time, as there has hosted many elegant and amazing balls or even aristocratic weekly meetups. The Cantacuzino family, Brancoveanu, Carp, Baleanu, Bals, Sturdza or Greceanu were usuals around here.

Nowadays, what once was an original, unique artistic hub now belongs to a careless creature, going by the name of Titi Dumitru, ex-coach for the Steaua football team.

The day I got to visit this wonderful place was the day I realized we have to power to save bits of our history that could tell such wonderful stories.

The place is in a very advanced state of decay and there’s not much left from the fancy interiors that once welcomed their guests.

The picture in the center and the one on the left show the grande ballroom, which I suppose had some towering staircases on both sides, leading up to that exquisite glass window, with a door leading to a balcony.

What do you guys think of these places, has anyone of our readers been here before?

Share your thoughts and opinions in a comment below. See you soon!