Bucharest – The Medieval Princely Court of Vlad Tepes

Explore Bucharest's history, from Vlad Tepes' Princely Court to charming streets and iconic landmarks on a 3-hour walking tour.
STAVROPOLEOS CHURCH

The tour starts from IC Brătianu Avenue, (Intercontinental Hotel area), near Colţea Hospital, the oldest hospital in town, dating back to 1704. The next stop is Lipscani Street, the most famous commercial street of the old city. At the beginning of the 15th century, most of the merchants and craftsmen (Romanians, Greeks, Bulgarians, Armenians and Jews) established their stores and shops on this street. The name Lipscani is related to the famous German trade held on Lipsca or Leipzig, where the merchants from Romania went at least twice a year. The French Street, where The Old Princely Court is located, was Bucharest’s first fully paved street. The Old Princely Court and Church were built during the reign of Prince Vlad Ţepeş, whose cruel manner of punishing his enemies got him the nickname Ţepeş –
"The Impaler". Centuries later, the Romanian Prince and his nickname became famous when Bram Stocker’s novel "Dracula" became a bestseller.
Close to the Old Princely Court there is the oldest church in town, St. Anthony Church. Other sites worth visiting in this area are Manuc’s Inn (1808), Şelari and Smârdan streets,
Stavropoleos Church (1724) and Caru cu Bere (beer pub and restaurant dating back to 1879), St. Nicholas Church (hosts an icon with healing powers), The National History Museum, the National Savings Bank, Capşa Restaurant, Cişmigiu Garden, The Revolution Square and the Italian Church (1916).

• Old Princely Court
• Romanian Athenaeum
• Stavropoleos Church
• Colţea Church and Hospital
TRACING BACK COUNT DRACULA'S HERITAGE BUILDING

In the heart of the historical centre of Bucharest are the remains of The Old Princely Court. According to historic documents, it was built in the XVth century by Vlad Ţepeş, better known as count Dracula. Vlad Ţepeş fortified the settlement which flourished as a commercial burg. The legends say that Vlad kept his prisoners in dungeons built under the Princely Court and its surroundings.

Along the centuries, Vlad Ţepeş’s fortress was rebuilt and reshaped by several Romanian princes. As if under a curse, the court was severely damaged by natural catastrophes – earthquakes and fires –, the palace was auctioned off to local merchants at the end of the XVIIIth century. All we can see today are a few walls, arches, tombstones and a Corinthian column.

In 1972, when archaeological digs revealed the remains of
the fortress, it was established as the Old Court Museum. Here they also discovered the oldest document attesting the city’s origin under the name of Bucharest. The document was issued and signed by Prince Vlad Ţepeş on 20th of September 1459. Close by, visitors can see the Old Court Church dating back to 1559 and considered the oldest in Bucharest. The church served for two centuries as a coronation church
for Romanian princes. Some of the original XVIth century frescoes have been preserved.

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