Julie Conover: The history of Romania’s capital, Bucharest like many of the celebrated cities of Europe is marked by periods of great wealth and decadent lifestyles to tales of mass destruction. The city was even referred to as the Paris of the Balkans during its golden age in the 1930s.

Unfortunately, much of the evidence of Bucharest glory days was leveled by Nicolae Ceausescu in his quest to modernize the city.

Mark Jennings: The Romanian alliance with France in World War I resulted in Bucharest triumphal arch. The French influence can be seen in the city’s broad, tree-lined boulevards as they sweep past rows of elegant mansions, now, housing foreign embassies.

Mehai Georgescu: We are now in the old center of the city. In fact, this is the part of the city. We can see in this area two kinds of buildings. You can see the traditional French architecture buildings starting with Grand Hotel du Boulevard and new buildings built after 1964.

This building, it’s for the city like the post cards. This was built between World War I and World War II in a moment when the Romanian economy reached the highest point. This was in 1938.

We have the famous restaurant capitol which was very much preferred by the German officers in the World War II.

Julie Conover: The rise of communism put an end to the high life in Bucharest. During the Ceausescu era from 1965 to 1989, the city was remodeled and systematized which many of the elegant belle epoque buildings were replaced with grandiose new structures.

Mark Jennings: The most famous architectural legacy, the megalomaniac dictator is the house of the people, also known as the Palace of Parliament. It was one of the largest buildings in the world covering over a million square feet. A huge chunk of Bucharest including 17 religious buildings and 7000 homes was flattened to make room for this monstrous edifice.

Female: I’ve heard about the Ceausescu years and the devastation of the old city and that monstrous parliament building and I’m not a fan of destroying old buildings, so I’m off this morning to go see the old town, what is left to the old town and get a real flavor for what’s left in Bucharest.

Mehai Georgescu: Moving the new center of the city near the Parliament Palace, Ceausescu was trying to change the customs of the people of Bucharest. This never took place because the custom of the people in Bucharest is to come to make the shopping from this area at small shop, cinemas, theater and this is the life. This is life in Bucharest.

Julie Conover: Ceausescu’s grandiose plan couldn’t overcome centuries of tradition. The heart of the city endured and shoppers still clog these small streets named after the artisans and merchants that hack their wares here in the 15th century.

Mark Jennings: Bucharest oldest church stood here since the mid-1500s in Manuc’s Inn, house traders passing through the area in the 19th century. Today, it is a restaurant in a simple two story hotel where the nice garden for sampling the local fare.

Male: Tremendous values for snacks here at Romania. Ten of these were $1.00.

Female: And they’re great little pastries. They have cream inside or mushrooms or apples.

Male: I kind of like this country.

Julie Conover: The citizens of Bucharest enjoy their many parks. Sunday afternoons are a time to relax in a row boat, eat cotton candy and stroll paths that meander around lakes and manicured flower beds. During the warmer months, visitors and locals enjoy the Beer Gardens.

Something that they should have, an ever simple park is “scale,” where you can weigh yourself. This one looks like it is pretty old. Let’s see if it works. Oh, it’s finally up, 48—was it kilograms? Kilograms? Now, I have to go calculate that. Now, everyone in the world knows how much I weigh.