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The building seems to stretch on forever. Built with the blood, sweat, and tears of so many Romanian citizens, the Palace of Parliament is a monument that speaks of national pride and horror.

Commissioned by Nicolae Ceausescu, the dictator of Romania, the building was designed to showcase all that the country had to offer. The pale pink granite was harvested from mines in the countryside. The intricately carved doors had been hand-crafted by men who were stolen from their families. Many of the workers who were commissioned to build the palace never came home. Local legends say that many were killed to protect the secrets that were being carefully hidden inside the building.

When I visited the palace, I went as a guest of a parliament member. The group I was with were given "back door" tours with access to some areas that are usually off-limit. We were even taken to the balcony where Michael Jackson mistakenly shouted, "Hello Budapest!" to the throngs of his fans below.

The building was magnificent, sometimes mind-numbingly so. We were shown the marble stairs that were rebuilt countless times, whenever the whims of Mrs. Ceausescu dictated. When the Ceausescu's fled the palace during the coup that would eventually lead to their deaths, the stairs were unfinished.

The Palace of Parliament is worth visiting-no matter how long you are in Romania. Within it's walls, you will find the riches of this poor country, the dreams that one man had for this people, and the finest work that many of the citizens produced.

NOTE: Check the rules on photography when you arrive at the palace. There are many rooms that you will want to linger in and take pictures of.

Learn more about this author, Caitlin Muir.
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