The Ministry of Culture has decided to initiate the consolidation operation of the Cantacuzino Palace, the headquarters of the George Enescu National Museum, with the consolidation, restoration, and arrangement works estimated at 6.3 million EUR excluding VAT.<\/p>\n
Built between 1901-1903, the Cantacuzino Palace was designed by architect Ion D. Berindey, in the Baroque style specific to the era of Louis XVI, for Prince Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino, Mayor of the Capital and Prime Minister of Romania between 1899-1900 and 1904-1907.<\/p>\n
He left the Palace as an inheritance to his son Mihai, and after the latter’s premature death in 1928, it passed to his wife, Maria (Maruca) Cantacuzino.<\/p>\n
One of the most controversial women in the Romanian high aristocracy, due to her capricious nature and her romantic relationships, Maruca Cantacuzino married George Enescu in 1937. The couple actually lived in the house behind the Palace, which was used only for musical evenings and social-worldly events.<\/p>\n
The composer always preferred more austere interiors, and his workrooms are known for the modesty and discretion with which they were furnished.<\/p>\n
Due to the installation of the communist regime, Enescu and Maruca Cantacuzino left for Paris, where the composer passed away in 1955. Since 1956, the „George Enescu” Museum has operated in the Cantacuzino Palace.<\/p>\n
According to data from the end of 2016, the Government intends to allocate approximately 45.8 million RON for the consolidation, restoration, and arrangement of the „George Enescu” National Museum – Cantacuzino Palace. Including, besides the cost of construction and labor, the cost of design, the total cost per sqm of restoration will be approximately 9,160 RON.<\/p>\n
The interventions will be carried out on all component buildings: the Cantacuzino Palace, the George Enescu Memorial House, and an annex.<\/p>\n