Târgoviște Princely Court (Curtea Domnească din Târgoviște)

About Târgoviște Princely Court (Curtea Domnească din Târgoviște)

The Princely Court of Târgoviște was the residence of the rulers of Wallachia for almost three centuries, from the late 14th century to the early 18th century, when the capital moved for good to Bucharest. The first mention of the princely house here dates from 1403, in the time of Mircea the Elder. In the 15th century, under Vlad Dracul and Vlad the Impaler, the court received the strongest fortifications in the country, and in the late 16th century Petru Cercel built a new palace, influenced by the Italian Renaissance, and the Great Princely Church.

The symbol of the ensemble and of the town is the Chindia Tower, a 27 m cylindrical tower built in the second half of the 15th century and traditionally credited to Vlad the Impaler. Its name is said to come from "chindie", the old word for sunset. Its present form comes from the rebuilding of 1847–1851, under Gheorghe Bibescu, and from 20th-century restorations; the most recent, funded by the EU, was completed in 2022.

After Gheorghe Ghica pulled down the fortifications at the Ottomans' demand in 1659–1660, Constantin Brâncoveanu rebuilt the palace and churches for the last time. The wars, fires and earthquakes of the 18th century and the earthquake of 1803 left the court in ruins, and in 1961 the ruins were restored and opened to visitors.

Information verified on 20 October 2026.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: the Princely Court is in the old centre of Târgoviște, on Calea Domnească. It is ~80 km from Bucharest on the DN71 (~1 h 30 min) and ~50 km from Ploiești on the DN72 (~1 h).

Public transport: Târgoviște has a railway station, with trains from Bucharest North, and a bus station, with minibuses from Bucharest and the surrounding towns. From the station to the Princely Court it is ~3 km, by taxi or local bus.

Where to park

The museum complex recommends the free car park of the Eugen Popescu Stadium, on Aleea Coconilor (271 spaces), a few minutes' walk from the entrance. On Calea Domnească and the streets of the centre, parking is usually paid.

Fees & discounts

Full ticket 30 lei, reduced 15 lei for pupils, students and pensioners. Pre-school children and people with disabilities enter free, and holders of the Euro<26 card (up to the age of 30) enter free on the 26th of each month. The pass for the museums in Târgoviște costs 40 lei. Guiding on request: 25 lei/hour per person or 50 lei/hour for a group of up to 9 people, booked two days in advance; groups of more than 10 people get free guiding. Professional photography costs 50 lei/hour and amateur filming 45 lei/hour.

Rules

Flash photography is not allowed. Animals, bicycles and large luggage are not admitted; pushchairs and wheelchairs are allowed. No eating or drinking in the exhibition spaces, and heritage objects must not be touched. In the Great Princely Church, dress modestly.

Facilities

Ticket office at the entrance · guiding on request, by booking · paths through the enclosure · the tower can only be climbed by stairs