The rather startling Sala Palatului, with its concaved roof, was designed by Tiberiu Ricci (also responsible for the TVR building) and built in 15 months from January 1959 to April 1960. The massive auditorium, which seats 3,000, was originally used to host the five-yearly communist party congress. It today plays host to exhibitions and concerts, including, last year, a visit from the Chippendales, performing on the very stage that Nicolae Ceausescu onced used to deliver his vision of a multi-laterally developed socialist society. The poor man must be turning in his grave. The interior is currently undergoing renovation.