Lost symbols of 1944 bombings, eagle and griffins, reappear on University Palace

The University of Bucharest has brought a piece of its history back to life, announcing the successful reinstallation of bronze statues of an eagle and two griffins on its main palace. These iconic figures were tragically destroyed during the 1944 bombings.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Saturday, August 8, signifies the beginning of an ambitious two-year project aimed at the complete restoration of the University Palace's original facade and sculptural ensemble. The newly placed statues, weighing approximately one ton for the eagle and 300 kilograms each for the griffins, are crafted from bronze. The griffin, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, was historically associated with the god Apollo.

This artistic reconstruction, valued at around 2 million lei, is the work of sculptor Alexandru Siminic and his collaborators, Teodor and Ștefan Siminic. They employed the traditional lost-wax bronze casting technique, meticulously finishing and patinating the pieces based on the original designs by sculptor Karl Storck, created between 1862 and 1869.

The restoration of the University Palace is a significant undertaking, funded through the National Program for Public or Social Interest Construction. With an estimated cost of approximately 315 million lei, the project, which began in January 2023, encompasses the structural consolidation of the entire building, the restoration of facades and historical decorations, roof repairs, and the development of a museum space dedicated to archaeological discoveries from the inner courtyard. The project aims to modernize educational facilities while preserving the palace's rich historical heritage, including its role in Romania's recent history, such as the 1989 Revolution.

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Astăzi am rescris istoria! Am readus acasă, pe Palatul Universității din București, vulturul și cei doi grifoni care fuseseră distruși în urma bombardamentelor din 1944.