There's a hidden place in Bucharest where nature can be seen at its best (well, for sure there must be more than one place that ticks this box here in Bucharest, but for the sake of this story, let's go with just one for the time being). Very few people know about it. I have been living in Bucharest for 17 years and I had no idea I could find lotus lilies in the middle of a park in Bucharest. Yes, beautiful lotus lilies, with huge, delicate flowers and large green leaves take over a small and continuously shrinking lake. An amazing view for half a weekend day.

Let me not keep this hidden any further: this amazing scenery is in the middle of the Circus Park, which is a park tucked away near and somehow behind the easily recognizable Circus building. Many might pass it and have no idea a park is there, and that in the middle of the park an amazing flora delights the eyes.

The lily in the Circus Park (Parcul Circului) is not any kind of lily – it is a lotus type of lily, or an Egyptian lily. The lake – which seems to be however endangered as its water level was really low at least this time of the year – is inhabited by fishes, turtles and ducks. A whole different universe unfolding just behind a busy Bucharest boulevard: the Stefan cel Mare boulevard. At night, the lotus flowers close and move under water, only to come back up again when the new light arrives the next morning.

It does not seem to be a hugely popular park however, much to our delight I have to admit, as we don't like the highway-parks where everyone heads on a Saturday morning. There were some people however last time we went, people with dogs, people with kids, but it was still quiet. There is a nice playground within the park, so a kid - friendly atmosphere.

Unfortunately the recent constructions in the area pose dangers to the lake, and as we were walking around the lake on a Saturday morning, we could see the cranes working at another nearby high – rise, which will probably soon join the already existing office tower in the area. We're OK with developments, but not at the cost of destroying nature, especially when rare species are involved. Maybe someone will see this and move the needed ropes to protect this beautiful place.

By Corina Chirileasa, corina@romania-insider.com

(photos copyright: Corina Chirileasa/Romania-Insider.com)