Romania 2015 - Bucharest, Calea Victoriei

Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue) is a major avenue in central Bucharest. It leads from Splaiul Independenței (which runs parallel to the Dâmbovița River) to the N and NW up to Piața Victoriei, where Șoseaua Kiseleff continues north. Initially, the road was known as Ulița Mare (Large Street), also known as Drumul Brașovului (Brașov Road), being part of the trade route between Bucharest and the city of Brașov, in Transylvania. In 1692, ruler Constantin Brâncoveanu paved the road with wood and partly regularized it, making it pass through the domains of the Bălăceni, of the Saint John Monastery, Zlătari Monastery and of the Cantacuzenes up to the Sărindari Monastery. Since 1692 it was known as Podul Mogoșoaiei (Mogoșoaia Wood-Paved Road) because it also was connecting the Bucharest's center with Brâncoveanu's Mogoșoaia Palace some km outside the city. Podul Mogoșoaiei was the first street in Bucharest to be illuminated with candles during the night, starting July 1814.