The most beautiful steps from around the world – “Rákóczi Stairs” in Targu Mures and “Xenofon Street” in Bucharest

There are two external painted stairs in Romania, which were rated as the most beautiful in the world, on a site that promotes street art (www.boredpanda). The first place was occupied by “Rákóczi Stairs” from Targu Mures, painted by students of the “Art Vocational High School” from Targu Mures, in 2014.

The painting is a digital model with Transylvanian folk motifs. The photo  who impressed the readers was conducted by Dragoş Gurăroşie. The stairs represents a passage with 70 steps, built in 1902, which took the name of Rákóczi II, invested as prince of Transylvania in 1707, at Targu Mures.

On the second place is the “Xenofon Street”, the only  street in steps in Bucharest, painted by the artist Eva Radu for seven days. The photo was made by Bogdan Dociu. The eight  pairs of steps of the street are decorated by eight representative monuments of Bucharest: Romanian Opera, Romanian Athenaeum, Arch of Triumph, National Art Museum, the monument in Carol Park, National Theatre, Romanian Peasant Museum and Parliament Palace.

The little street Xenofon existed for over 200 years and was named after an ancient Greek philosopher and soldier named Xenophon (he wrote “Anabasis” which describes the returning at home of an army of Greek mercenaries through the Persian Empire). It is a small street, but with a special charm, a testament to the times in which the residents of  the “Little Paris”(Bucharest) use to made promenade here.

Since painting began to deteriorate, the artist has changed the picture with one that depicts a waterfall surrounded by greenery. Asked why he chose such an image, the artist declared: “The waterfall means freedom, freshness, means being open to new. One gentleman told me that since I painted the waterfall on this road, the place looks more refreshing".

The area is worth a visit and explored. There are 70 steps to climb, but the effort will be rewarded by the beauty of the painting, but also the rediscovery of a forgotten place for a while, with the charm and the air of waned times. At the top of the stairs, is a small flirtatious square, animated by a round of flowers in the center, surrounded by buildings with contemporary architecture. In front it rises the charming former Suter Palace, with its mysterious air for over 100 years.