Foișorul de Foc, Fire lookout tower and museum in Bucharest, Romania.
Foișorul de Foc is a 42-meter-tall brick tower located between Obor, Calea Moșilor, and Nerva-Traian districts in eastern Bucharest. The structure features arched windows and a conical roof, and now houses a Firefighters Museum displaying historical equipment and photographs from the service's past.
The tower was built in 1890 by chief architect George Mandrea and served as a fire observation point until 1935. The rise of telephone communications made the structure obsolete, ending its role in the city's early warning system.
The tower takes its name from its original role as a fire observation point and shapes the neighborhood's character with its distinctive red brick presence. Visitors notice how the building reflects the city's commitment to public safety during a time when early warning systems were essential.
The Firefighters Museum inside the tower is open on weekdays and displays historical firefighting equipment and service documentation. The site is easily accessible by public transportation and located in a residential area with nearby cafes and shops.
The tower was originally designed to function as both a water storage tank and fire lookout, but inadequate pumping systems made water storage impractical. This dual-purpose concept was abandoned, leaving only its observation function operational.
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