This is one of the most beautiful bookstores I have ever visited. Situated in the heart of Bucharest and opened in 2016, it is a book reader's delight. Even the tourists who don't read books make sure it is on their list of "places to see in Bucharest".
This wonderful building was built in 1903 by a group of wealthy family of Greek bankers but was confiscated in 1950s by the communist regime. It was turned into a general store and later abandoned when the communist regime fell.
As the story goes, the grandson of the Greek banker asked the government to return the building to his family once communism collapsed. It took 24 years of legal battles for the building to be returned to the Greek family in 2007.
Thus began the work of 75 people and a combined 20,000 hours for the building to be transformed into "Carousel of Light" - it is aptly named and I guess this is what heaven would look like for book lovers like me !
The store has three floors with more than 10,000 books and even though English books are limited, it is still a delight and one of the highlights of a trip to Bucharest. The store is open 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm (till midnight on weekends).
There is a beautiful bistro on the top floor, where you can spend hours reading, having a coffee or just looking at the massive globe in front of you. It's fun to try and find the countries you belong to - India is under a massive cloud cover though.
I could have parked myself on a bean bag or even slept here, if the store policy allowed it. But, as the clock struck 10, it was time to leave paradise and head back to my hostel.
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