About CEC Palace
CEC Palace, officially the Palace of the Deposit, Consignment and Savings Bank, stands at Calea Victoriei 13, opposite the National Museum of Romanian History, at the edge of the Old Town. It was designed by the French architect Paul Gottereau, and building was run by Ion Socolescu. The foundation stone was laid on 8 June 1897 in the presence of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth, and the building was finished in 1900. The bank paid for it entirely out of its own profits.
The site was once occupied by a monastery dedicated to Saint John the Great, with an inn alongside it, and a 16th-century church that Constantin Brâncoveanu rebuilt in 1702–1703. The complex fell into decay and was demolished in 1875; in its place rose the first CEC headquarters, which was too small for the growing bank and was in turn pulled down to make way for today's palace. The institution itself had been founded in 1864, by a law initiated by Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
The style is eclectic, with late 19th-century French influences. Today the palace still houses the headquarters of CEC Bank, the successor of the old Savings Bank.
What you can see
The entrance is framed by two pairs of composite columns and crowned by a semicircular pediment, in which you can see a clock and two sculpted figures beneath the name of the institution. At the four corners, blocks with pediments and coats of arms end in Renaissance-style cupolas, while above the central hall rises a much larger dome of glass and metal, visible from far along Calea Victoriei. The façade is best seen from the opposite pavement, in front of the National Museum of Romanian History.
The central hall had CEC's counters until 1999. It has a staircase and mosaic of Dobruja marble, and the painter Mihail Simonidi decorated the interior with allegorical paintings; the ceiling of the council room, also his work, won a silver medal at the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition.
Good to know
The interior cannot be visited: the palace is the administrative headquarters of CEC Bank and is not open to the public for visits or events. The building can be seen from outside, at any time, from Calea Victoriei.
Information verified on 25 October 2026.
- The semicircular pediment above the entrance, with the clock and the two sculpted figures, beneath the name of the institution.
- The central dome of glass and metal, which dominates the building and is visible from Calea Victoriei.
- The four corner blocks, with pediments, coats of arms and Renaissance-style cupolas.
- The two pairs of composite columns at the entrance, at the top of the steps.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the palace is at Calea Victoriei 13, in the historic centre of Bucharest, opposite the National Museum of Romanian History. The area is busy, with few parking spaces.
Public transport: the metro stations Piața Unirii (M1, M3) and Universitate (M2) are about a 10–15-minute walk away, and there is an STB stop called “CEC” in front of the building.
- Where to park
The building has no visitor car park. Around it you park on the streets, for a fee, and spaces are few; public transport is more convenient.
- Fees & discounts
The interior cannot be visited, so there is no ticket; the exterior can be seen free of charge from the street.
- Rules
The palace is a working bank headquarters: the interior cannot be visited, while the exterior can be photographed from the pavement.
Frequently asked questions about CEC Palace
- How much is a ticket to CEC Palace?
- Admission to CEC Palace is free (the exterior can be seen from the street). The interior cannot be visited, so there is no ticket; the exterior can be seen free of charge from the street.
- What are the opening hours of CEC Palace?
- Opening hours at CEC Palace: daily open 24 hours. The exterior can be seen at any time, from Calea Victoriei. The interior cannot be visited.
- How long does a visit to CEC Palace take?
- A visit to CEC Palace takes about 15 min (exterior only).
- Can you visit CEC Palace with kids?
- Yes, CEC Palace is suitable for children (just a stop on the street).
- Where can I park at CEC Palace?
- There is paid parking at CEC Palace (on the street, in the centre). The building has no visitor car park. Around it you park on the streets, for a fee, and spaces are few; public transport is more convenient.
- How do I get to CEC Palace?
- CEC Palace is located at Calea Victoriei 13, sector 3, București. By car: the palace is at Calea Victoriei 13, in the historic centre of Bucharest, opposite the National Museum of Romanian History. The area is busy, with few parking spaces. Public transport: the metro stations Piața Unirii (M1, M3) and Universitate (M2) are about a 10–15-minute walk away, and there is an STB stop called “CEC” in front of the building.
- When is the best time to visit CEC Palace?
- The best season for CEC Palace: All year round (the exterior can be seen all year).
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