Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse

Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse is a fork-shaped shopping passage in central Bucharest with two branches connected by a central rotunda containing shops. The entire structure is covered by yellow glass roofs that bring light into the shopping area and create a unified retail experience.

The passage was built in 1891 by architect Felix Xenopol and replaced the former Campineanu Inn. It then became one of the first locations of Bucharest's Stock Exchange, showing the city's economic rise in the late 1800s.

The passage shows European architecture that spread through Bucharest and follows the style of similar galleries in Western Europe. Visitors can see this influence in the elegantly designed arcades and the craftsmanship of the structures today.

The passage sits between Calea Victoriei and the Lipscani district and is easy to reach on foot from the main central squares. Inside, visitors find restaurants, cafes, and various shops under the protective glass roof.

The unusual fork shape came about because the owner of the Pesht Hotel refused to sell, forcing architects to design the passage around the building. This forced solution created a unique structure that sets Bucharest apart from other European shopping galleries.