Bucharest voted the ugliest capital city in Europe

The Romanian capital city, Bucharest, has been proclaimed the ugliest capital in Europe, according to VerticalNews.com, quoted by tourism-review.com. “Damaged roads, piles of garbage on the main streets, irregular supply of hot water or in some cases non-existent sewerage and water supply” – this is how Bucharest is presented. "There is no sewerage, running water or asphalt roads in some parts of the Romanian capital which makes it seem like a city from the Middle Ages”, the presentation continues. The quality of life is getting worse constantly, and in 2009 Bucharest occupied the last but one place after Sofia, according to Mercer company that analyzed the pollution level, access to drinking water, sewage and criminality rates. “They are making charts just to discourage us”, said Sorin Oprescu, the Mayor of Bucharest, when asked what is his opinion about this matter. Bucharest is also one of the cheapest cities in for expats, ranking 74th in the 2011 edition of the top, according to a study conducted by ECA International company. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com (photo source: sxc.hu)