Perhaps the busiest street in the Lipscani area is Str. Smardan, home today to any number of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants. History buffs might like to know that in January 1859 at No. 42 (then the Hotel Concordia), Wallachian deputies elected Alexandru Ioan Cuza as their Prince. As Moldavian deputies had already done likewise a week earlier, the election that took place here created the first unified Romanian state since Mihai Bravu’s short-lived reign of 1600. There was a plaque marking the spot until recently, yet building work has (we hope temporarily) covered it up. It is also worth pointing out that until the 1960s trams ran along the street here: somewhat incredible given how narrow it is in places.
