Capşa House (Casa Capşa in Romanian), “Restaurant, Hotel, Café and Confectionery”, was for long period of time the symbol of the Romanian elite society, a meeting place for politicians, journalists, artists, writers, etc. It all started in 1852 when two brothers, Anton and Vasile Capşa, opened a confectionery shop on Calea Victoriei, a short distance from the present location of Capşa House, which was opened as a confectionery shop by their younger brother Grigore Capşa (1841-1902) in 1868. Grigore Capşa had just returned from Paris, where he apprenticed for four years at the renowned Maison Boissier. Soon, he established a solid reputation as a known brand all over the continent, becoming the supplier for the Royal Court of Romania in 1869 (until then the Royal House was bringing the confections from Paris). Serbian and Bulgarian courts followed in 1882 and 1908, respectively. In 1886 the hotel and the restaurant opened. The hotel was quickly recognized as the most elegant Romanian hotel, winning, together with the confectionery shop, lots of awards and distinctions. Finally, in 1891, the owners opened Capşa cafe, which became the center of the fashionable life in Bucharest. With so many members of the high society and politicians frequenting this place, it was said that governments were made and broke at Capşa. After 1930s the writers made the cafe their meeting place. The writer Tudor Arghezi made even a short portrait of the “writer who goes to Capşa”. He wrote “The Capşa man is an inteligent and dangerous individual and the real critique is done at Capşa, not in the literary press. If you’re stupid at Capşa is impossible to be smart anywhere else, even in writing”. The decline of the Capşa House came with the arrival of the communist regime, when it was run by the state under the name “Bucharest. Brasserie and restaurant”. After the fall of communism, Casa Capşa was restored quite beautifully in 2002-2003 and reopened as an elegant 5 star hotel. Unfortunately they didn’t succeed in giving back its spirit and glamour which can only be relived now in the history books.
Feb 122010
such history. ^0^
i think the best room would be that on the middle with a balcony overlooking the streets, it looks kind of old already, but the fact that it has retained its past architectural details gives credit to it even if it weren't that glamorous as before. ^-^
It looks like a lovely hotel! I'm trying to imagine the "fancy society people" lounging and mingling around inside there . . .
Could you show us inside the lobby with your camera lens?
Bon weekend!
I was taken by your passionate account of this real piece of history. Let us be glad that at least it is back as building if not in spirit. Corner building are always more interesting and I like the way you photographed it.
A question: what is the glass structure on the other corner building on the left?
Yes, you can put on a new facade, but one cannot change the essence of a thing that easily. A very interesting history lesson. Perhaps over the years, it will again become a legend in its own time for its own reasons.
Very nice photo, Andreea.
Beautiful building.
Leif: I hope to capture a shot of the interior one of these days.
VP: The glass structure is another hotel called Ramada Majestic.