Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche)

History

Built in 1459 as a palace during Vlad III Dracula’s rule, Curtea Veche served as the residence of Wallachian rulers from the 14th century onward. Between 1459 and 1660, Bucharest was where Wallachian rulers dwelled alongside the old capital of Targoviste. This is the site that gave Bucharest its founding document — the first official mention of the city.

The palace was practically destroyed by a great fire in 1718, and what remained was struck by a devastating earthquake. After archaeological excavations, considerable remains were rediscovered, and the site was preserved as an open-air museum in the heart of the modern city.

The adjacent Old Court Church (Biserica Curtea Veche) is Bucharest’s oldest church and adds medieval atmosphere to the site. The museum houses the oldest historical testimonies of Bucharest, dating from the 13th century.

What to See

Preserved palace walls and architectural fragments from the 15th century
Ruins of the old royal kitchens
Remains of Vlad Tepes’s cellar — atmospheric and slightly eerie
Bust of Vlad the Impaler — visible from the street for free, surrounded by modern cafe terraces
Biserica Curtea Veche — Bucharest’s oldest church, still active, standing adjacent to the ruins

“There is something surreal about sipping a coffee on a terrace overlooking the ruins of Dracula’s palace. That is the Old Town experience in one image.”

Tips for Visiting

Free viewing: You can see the Vlad bust and get a good sense of the ruins from the street without paying admission.

Full access: For the museum and archaeological site, check opening hours at muzeulbucurestiului.ro. Photography costs an additional 15 RON; guided tours are 5 RON per person for groups of 10+.

The church: Biserica Curtea Veche is still active — dress modestly if entering (cover shoulders and knees).

Combine with: The site sits right in the Lipscani area, so combine it with an Old Town exploration. Stavropoleos Monastery and Manuc’s Inn are both within a 3-minute walk.

Getting there: Metro to Piata Unirii (M1, M2, M3), then a 5-minute walk north into the Old Town.

Is It Worth It?

For anyone interested in history, yes. Curtea Veche is where Bucharest began. The site itself is modest in scale, but its significance is enormous, and the juxtaposition of medieval ruins surrounded by modern nightlife is quintessentially Bucharest.