About Cula Duca
Cula Duca, also called Cula Măldărescu, is a three-storey fortified house of an Oltenian boyar, built in 1812 by Gheorghiță Măldărescu. The year 1827, written on the wall of the upper floor, is the date of the stucco work. Culas, from the Turkish kule, "tower", appeared in Oltenia and western Wallachia as a refuge in times of raids from across the Danube and of roaming outlaw bands. The ground floor is tall, with thick walls and narrow slit windows, while daily life moved upstairs, to the first floor and the veranda.
In 1910, I.G. Duca, a liberal politician and future prime minister, bought the cula, which he knew from the time he was a judge at Horezu, and began furnishing it in traditional Romanian style, with icons, rugs, peasant plates and lamps. Beside it he built a holiday house in 1912, now a memorial house. The cula became state property in 1962 and was restored in 1966–1967. Its thick walls and authentic interiors have been used as a set in several historical films.
The ensemble here, with the cula, the memorial house and Cula Greceanu a few hundred metres away, is organised as the Măldărești Museum Complex, under the "Aurelian Sacerdoțeanu" Vâlcea County Museum.
What you can see
From the yard the cula looks like a massive white block with a hipped shingle roof and an arcaded veranda under the eaves. The ground floor has a thick wooden door and large wooden pillars carrying the beams. Upstairs are rooms with tiled stoves that differ from one room to the next, and the veranda with its ceiling divided into three decorated panels. The exhibition here tries to recreate the atmosphere of the early 20th century, as I.G. Duca imagined it.
The memorial house nearby has a veranda with white columns and recalls the politician's life. The complex also holds an ethnographic collection, with costumes, textiles, woodwork and pottery from the region's centres.
Good to know
Cula Greceanu, a few hundred metres away, is usually visited together with Cula Duca, but it has had a separate history: it was closed in 2019 after a dispute between its heirs and the museum. Its current status should be checked separately. In November 2025 Vâlcea County Council approved the documentation for rehabilitating both culas with European funds; no start or closing dates have been announced. The hours above are those published by the museum; a phone call before the trip is worthwhile.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The cula seen from the yard, with its white walls, hipped shingle roof and arcaded veranda.
- The massive ground floor, with large wooden pillars and narrow windows like arrow slits.
- The veranda on the top floor, with its ceiling divided into three decorated panels.
- The I.G. Duca memorial house, with its veranda of white columns.
- The stone gate with a shingle roof at the entrance to the complex's yard.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the complex is in the village of Măldărești, ~3 km from the town of Horezu on a road leaving the town, and ~40 km from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Horezu Monastery, nearby, is easy to visit on the same day.
Public transport: no direct route is known; the simplest way is to take a bus or minibus to Horezu and a taxi from there.
- Where to park
There is no verified information about parking; in the village you can stop near the complex entrance.
- Rules
The cula has narrow stairs and old floors, so visit with care. Photography inside is agreed with museum staff; do not touch the objects.
- Facilities
Memorial house · ethnographic exhibition · landscaped yard
Frequently asked questions about Cula Duca
- What are the opening hours of Cula Duca?
- Opening hours at Cula Duca: Monday closed, Tuesday–Sunday 10:00 – 18:00. Summer hours, from the museum's website: daily 10:00–18:00, closed on Mondays. Winter hours: daily 9:00–17:00, closed on Mondays. Phone before you go.
- How long does a visit to Cula Duca take?
- A visit to Cula Duca takes about 45 min (the cula and the memorial house).
- Can you visit Cula Duca with kids?
- Yes, Cula Duca is suitable for children (narrow, steep stairs).
- How do I get to Cula Duca?
- Cula Duca is located at Strada Muzeului, ~3 km from Horezu, Măldărești, Vâlcea County. By car: the complex is in the village of Măldărești, ~3 km from the town of Horezu on a road leaving the town, and ~40 km from Râmnicu Vâlcea. Horezu Monastery, nearby, is easy to visit on the same day. Public transport: no direct route is known; the simplest way is to take a bus or minibus to Horezu and a taxi from there.
- When is the best time to visit Cula Duca?
- The best season for Cula Duca: April – October (open all year).
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