National Council For The Study Of The Securitate Archives

National Council for the Study of the Securitate Archives (CNSAS) Bucharest: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Visitor Guide

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The National Council for the Study of the Securitate Archives (CNSAS) in Bucharest is a cornerstone for understanding Romania’s recent history, particularly the country’s experience under communist rule. CNSAS preserves, studies, and provides access to the extensive archives of the Securitate—Romania’s notorious secret police—offering a vital resource for historical research, public transparency, and transitional justice. Whether you are a historian, genealogist, or curious traveler, a visit to CNSAS provides an opportunity to confront Romania’s political past and understand the impact of surveillance on society.

This comprehensive guide details everything you need to plan your visit: opening hours, access policies, research procedures, and practical tips. It also explores the cultural, ethical, and comparative significance of the archives, ensuring your experience is both meaningful and respectful. For the latest updates, always refer to the CNSAS official website and the Bucharest Tourism Portal.

Introduction
Historical Context and Purpose of CNSAS
Significance and Societal Role
Composition and Contents of the Archives
Visiting CNSAS: Location, Hours, and Tickets
Access and Research Procedures
Accessibility and Visitor Facilities
Research Highlights and Notable Holdings
Ethical Considerations and Challenges
Cultural and Intergenerational Perspectives
Comparative Approaches in Europe
Visitor Experience: Conduct and Practical Tips
Nearby Attractions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion and Further Reading

Historical Context and Purpose of CNSAS

After the 1989 Romanian Revolution, the need for transparency and reckoning with the abuses of the communist regime led to the founding of CNSAS in 1999, under Law No. 187/1999 (amended by Law No. 293/2008) (CNSAS official site). CNSAS’s mission is to collect, preserve, and facilitate access to the Securitate’s massive secret police archives. This allows individuals to access their files, supports academic research, and underpins the process of lustration (vetting public officials for past collaboration).

Significance and Societal Role

Transitional Justice and Societal Healing

By opening the Securitate archives to the public, CNSAS fosters societal healing and transparency. Victims of surveillance can access their files and, in some cases, learn the identity of informants. This process is fundamental to Romania’s ongoing efforts at transitional justice and public accountability (CNSAS mission).

Academic and Historical Research

The archives are an unparalleled resource for scholars, journalists, and students investigating totalitarianism, surveillance, and resistance. CNSAS supports academic projects and exhibitions, contributing to a nuanced understanding of Romania’s communist era (Romanian Friend: Bucharest Guide).

Public Accountability and Lustration

CNSAS plays a central role in the vetting of officials, confirming or denying past collaboration with the Securitate. This lustration process is controversial but critical for rebuilding trust in public institutions.

Composition and Contents of the Archives

CNSAS holds one of Eastern Europe’s largest and most complex secret police archives. The holdings include:

Over 2.5 million files (personal, informant, operational, and administrative)
Tens of millions of pages of documents, photographs, microfilms, and audio-visual material

Main Types of Files

Personal Files (Dosare Personale): Surveillance reports, interrogation records, correspondence, and photographs.
Informant Files (Dosare de Informator): Records of individuals who collaborated, including recruitment documents and reports.
Operational Files (Dosare Operative): Details on surveillance operations, infiltration, and counterintelligence.
Administrative Records: Internal memos, regulations, and organizational charts.
Audio-Visual Materials: Recordings of wiretaps, interrogations, and surveillance images.

Visiting CNSAS: Location, Hours, and Tickets

Location

Main Address: Strada Matei Basarab 55–57, Sector 3, Bucharest, postal code 030671
Alternative Address for Reading Rooms: Bd. Regina Elisabeta 42, Sector 5, Bucharest

CNSAS is centrally located and accessible by metro (Timpuri Noi or Piața Unirii stations), bus, and tram. Parking is limited; public transport is recommended (romaniatourism.com).

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Weekends & Public Holidays: Closed

Check the CNSAS official website for updates or holiday changes.

Tickets and Entry

Admission: Free of charge
Access: Public exhibitions are open to all. Reading room access or guided tours require prior registration or booking.
Guided Tours: Available by prior request, mainly in Romanian; English tours may be arranged in advance.

Access and Research Procedures

Requesting Personal Files: Submit a formal application and proof of identity (passport or national ID) via the CNSAS website. Processing may take several weeks.
Academic Research: Provide a research proposal and affiliation. Sensitive documents may require additional vetting.
Onsite Consultation: Files are primarily consulted in person in designated reading rooms. Advance booking is recommended due to high demand.

Accessibility and Visitor Facilities

CNSAS buildings are wheelchair accessible (ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms).
Reading rooms offer workspaces, power outlets, and computers for digital archives (CNSAS Digital Catalog).
Orientation materials and staff assistance are available; some staff speak English, French, or German.
Restrooms are onsite; cafes and restaurants can be found nearby.
Security screening is required upon entry; large bags, food, and drinks are not permitted in reading rooms.

Research Highlights and Notable Holdings

High-Profile Cases: Files on dissidents, intellectuals, religious leaders, and former officials, such as Paul Goma and Mircea Dinescu.
Thematic Collections: Specialized exhibitions on religious persecution, ethnic minorities, and the 1989 Revolution (CNSAS exhibitions).

These resources reveal the scope of surveillance and the methods of psychological repression used by the Securitate.

Ethical Considerations and Challenges

Privacy vs. Transparency: CNSAS balances public interest with the need to protect personal data, sometimes redacting sensitive information.
Incomplete Records: Some files were destroyed or altered during the regime’s collapse, leading to historical gaps.
Political Sensitivities: The lustration process and disclosure of informants remain contentious topics in Romanian society.
Ethics of Interpretation: Documents may reflect coercion or manipulation; researchers should avoid simplistic judgments and consider context.

Cultural and Intergenerational Perspectives

The Securitate’s legacy is deeply embedded in Romanian collective memory, affecting both those who lived through communism and subsequent generations. The archives foster public dialogue and help individuals reclaim agency over their histories, while also challenging communities to process trauma and suspicion (revieweuro.com).

Comparative Approaches in Europe

Romania’s process of opening the Securitate archives parallels similar efforts in Germany (Stasi), Poland (SB), and the Czech Republic (StB). Each country faces unique challenges in balancing transparency, privacy, and justice. CNSAS’s gradual, individualized approach reflects Romania’s specific historical and societal context and aligns with international human rights standards.

Visitor Experience: Conduct and Practical Tips

Plan Ahead: Submit requests and book appointments at least two weeks in advance.
Bring ID: Carry your passport or national ID.
Language Prep: Translation assistance is available, but many documents and forms are in Romanian.
Respectful Conduct: Silence is required in research areas, and strict protocols for document handling must be followed.
Dress Code: No formal dress code, but neat attire is appreciated.
Photography: Not permitted in reading rooms without special permission; allowed in exhibitions unless indicated otherwise.

Nearby Attractions

Enhance your visit by exploring nearby Bucharest sites:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is there an entry fee?
A: No, admission is free.

Q: How do I access my personal Securitate file?
A: Submit an application with identification via the CNSAS website.

Q: Are guided tours available in English?
A: English tours can be arranged with advance notice.

Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Photography is allowed in exhibition areas unless otherwise indicated; not permitted in reading rooms without permission.

Q: Is CNSAS wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, but notify CNSAS in advance for assistance.

Q: What are the opening hours?
A: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; closed weekends and public holidays.

Conclusion

A visit to CNSAS is both an educational journey and an act of remembrance, enabling visitors to engage with Romania’s turbulent 20th-century history and ongoing process of democratic transformation. Whether you are seeking family history, conducting academic research, or exploring the broader story of Eastern Europe’s totalitarian past, CNSAS offers a profound and accessible resource. For the latest visitor information, research guidelines, and event schedules, consult the CNSAS official website and the Bucharest Tourism Portal.