PRINCELY COURT COMPLEX

The Princely Court(Curtea domnească) is a large complex of buildings with orange brick walls, set in a very pleasant park. It was built in the ^14th century by Mircea cel Bătrân (Mircea the Elder) and became the residence of the princes and the capital of Wallachia from 1415 to 1659. Vlad Ţepeş, who inspired the character of Dracula, lived here. His bust can be seen not far from the entrance to the complex. All that remains of the princely residence are the high ruins, where the square-shaped cellars are clearly visible. Resting on a pyramidal base, the Chindiei tower, 27 metres high and 9 metres in diameter, is the emblem of the city it dominates. It was from here that the closing of the city gates was announced at sunset, hence its name, which means "twilight tower". Later, it was used as an observation tower and then as a prison. Its current form (notably its windows) and neo-Gothic style date back to the ^19th century. You can climb to the top via a narrow staircase. On each floor, a small exhibition presents the history of the building and its princely dynasties. The view of the city and region from the roof is remarkable, but above all it allows you to appreciate the structure of the residence and imagine it as it was when it housed the princes. The complex also boasts two churches. The large princely church was built in 1583, and its Greek cross plan is a fine example of ^15th-century Byzantine architecture. The carved limewood iconostasis dates from 1697. The western wall features portraits of the greatest princes of the time. Although their names are written in Cyrillic, you may recognize Matei Basarab, Constantin Brâncoveanu or Mihai Viteazul. The large church bell dating from 1669 is on display in the gallery. The little princely church (Sfânta Vineri), further away, dates back to the ^15th century and is characterized by its cloverleaf shape. The Bălaşa house (^17th century) opposite takes its name from a princess, wife of Prince Constantin Şerban. At first, it housed the most destitute, then became a school. The site is particularly popular with Romanian tourists and schools, as the residence represents a symbol of the country's glorious past. For French-speaking visitors, a short guide in French is on sale at the ticket office. A map and text, displayed after the entrance, also provide some explanations.