The Bucharest Mayor Sorin Oprescu and Princess Margareta, the eldest daughter of Romania's ex-sovereign Mihai have unveiled the statue of King Carol I, which was re-erected on its original spot in the Royal Palace Square in downtown Bucharest. The equestrian statue made of bronze was re-erected on this spot after 60 years, based on the exact design of the initial one. The original statue, also in bronze, was melted by the communist regime in 1948. The bronze was used at the time to build a statue for Lenin.

Romania in 2006 celebrated the 140th anniversary of the German-born Prince Carol of Hohenzollern's ascending the Romanian throne, the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of the Romanian Kingdom and the 100th anniversary of the General Exhibition from 1906.

Prince Carol arrived in Bucharest on May 10, 1866, being welcomed by enthusiastic crowds. Romania proclaimed its independence on May 10, 1877. Carol I was named a king and Romania became a kingdom in 1881. His 48-year rule brought major changes to the life of the Romanian state, with Romania seeing a time of flourishing development of its economy, society and culture.

More of Romania's history in our section here.

AGERPRES, Romania-Insider.com