What is the heaviest building in Europe? | News from Mexico

ROMANIA.- In the heart of Bucharest, the Parliament Palace of Romania stands majestically as the heaviest building in Europe, an imposing work that carries with it not only its physical monumentality, but also the history of an era and a regime.

Built between 1980 and 1997, this architectural colossus is the result of the ambitious project commissioned by the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.. Inspired by the grandiose buildings of North Korea and China, Ceausescu longed for a fortress that would serve as the headquarters of his communist regime. However, the leader was not able to witness the conclusion of his vision, as he was assassinated in 1989, while the work continued its development.

The magnitude of the Parliament Palace is not only reflected in its weight, but also in the colossal materials used in its construction. This 12-story behemoth required a staggering 700,000 tons of steel and bronze, combined with Transylvanian marble, glass, basalt, wood, cement and sand. The figure is astonishing, with 1 million cubic meters of marble, 3,500 tons of glass, 1,000 tons of basalt and 900,000 cubic meters of wood.

The feat of building this palace not only involved monumental materials, but also more than 100,000 trained people. Chief architect Anca Petrescu led the design, while the company Aedificia Carpati was responsible for realizing the vision in concrete and steel.

At 270 meters long, 245 meters wide and 86 meters high, plus another 92 meters of underground rooms, the Parliament Palace is not only a record for weight but also for dimensions. The building houses 1,100 rooms, 20,000 parking spaces and holds another Guinness Record as the largest socialist state palace in the world, with an area of ​​about 340,000 square meters.

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Over the decades, the fate of the Palace was in suspense., considering various options such as a shopping center, casino or communist monument. Finally, it was decided that it would be the seat of the Romanian Senate and Chamber of Deputies, as well as housing several museums.

Thus, the Romanian Parliament Palace not only holds the title of the heaviest building in Europe, but also It is a testament to the country’s political and architectural historya colossus of steel and bronze that endures as a symbol of a bygone era.

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