Casa Assan, located in Sector 1 of Bucharest, is not just an imposing building but also a witness to a significant part of Romania's history, with the illustrious Bazil Assan at its center. This architectural gem is undoubtedly a spectacular historic property, showcasing French neoclassical style, never ceasing to fascinate and inspire.
Bazil George Assan, was a Romanian engineer, explorer, and economist born on August 1, 1860, in Bucharest. Hailing from an affluent family, he played a crucial role in Romania's industrialization. He studied engineering in Liège, Belgium, and economics in Montreux, Switzerland. He designed a canal between Cernavodă and Constanța, later becoming the Danube-Black Sea Canal.
Additionally, he built the country's first edible corn oil factory and a 41-meter-high cereal silo, which became the tallest building in Bucharest at that time.
In 1896, he became the first Romanian to travel to the Arctic. Boarding the Norwegian ship Erling Jart in the summer of 1896, alongside scientists of various nationalities, he embarked on a scientific expedition, gathering valuable data about the region's geography, flora, and fauna. Assan's expedition marked Romania's first scientific venture into the Arctic, paving the way for future Romanian explorers.
Bazil Assan was the first Romanian to circumnavigate the globe. His journey around the world, spanning five months from December 1897 to the first half of 1898, was one of his boldest initiatives. During his travels, Assan visited numerous countries and continents, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. He documented his experiences in a journal, later published as a book titled "Around the World with Bazil Assan." The book provides a fascinating account of his travels, offering a unique perspective on the world at the beginning of the 20th century.
Assan Bazil was also a character with a life full of adventures and remarkable achievements. The first motor vehicle in circulation in Romania, bearing the license plate 1 B, belonged to him and is currently part of the National Museum of Romanian History. It is a Belgian-made automobile, a Fabrique Nationale Herstal (FN Herstal), built in 1900.
Casa Assan is more than just an architectural monument; it is a testament to the ingenuity and courage of this scientist. This spectacular historic property is not merely a building—it is a chronicle of the achievements of a man who dedicated his life to science, innovation, and adventure.
Sources:
https://vatra-mcp.ro/casa-assan-din-piata-lahovari-bucuresti/
https://www.ro.biography.name/exploratori/355-romania/1035-bazil-george-assan
https://www.jurnalul-bucurestiului.ro/casa-oamenilor-de-stiinta-din-bucuresti-sau-fosta-casa-assan/
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