The turn of the 20th century was probably the most flourishing period for Bucharest in architectural terms. Splendid new structures that awed locals and visitors appeared every few months. Each mayor was more ambitious than the last, trying to transform Bucharest into a beautiful capital, on par with other more famous cities like Vienna, London, Berlin, and Paris. While the Palace of the CEC Bank was being completed, the impressive Palace of the Post was built just across the road. This remarkable Neoclassic structure, opened in 1900, was based on the Central Post Office building in Geneva and until 1969, it served as headquarters for the Romanian Postal Services. Afterwards, the state decided to use it to tell the intricate story of the Romanian people, so it became the National History Museum.