Palace of the Parliament

Under Ceausescu, another attack on Romania's religious and historic landscape occurred through his enormous redevelopment program.

In Bucharest, entire neighborhoods were demolished during the construction of Ceausescu's new civic center and the gigantic building today known as the Palace of Parliament.

It was called initially the People's House.

Churches were among the structures threatened or destroyed.

One favorite show we were allowed to watch was the popular show Dallas with J.R. Ewing.

And while ordinary Romanians were being told to sacrifice, the state continued massive prestige projects.

One of the most visible was Ceausescu's enormous House of the Republic, People's House, now the Palace of Parliament.

The contrast was impossible to ignore.

Opening just last year, it's the largest and tallest Eastern Orthodox building in the entire world.

Rising over 430 feet opposite the Palace of Parliament, this Neo-Byzantine landmark was represents a monumental return to sacred grandeur.

In fact, the cathedral has the largest free-swinging church bell in the world.

And we could go on and on.