Curtea Veche Princely Palace
About Curtea Veche Princely Palace
The Curtea Veche Princely Palace is what remains of Bucharest's first princely residence, on the bank of the Dâmbovița, between Strada Franceză and Strada Covaci. A document issued by Vlad the Impaler in 1459 mentions the fortress of Bucharest as a princely residence, and the rulers who came after him rebuilt it in turn: Mircea Ciobanul, Matei Basarab, then Constantin Brâncoveanu (1688–1714), in whose time the palace and gardens covered some 25,000 square metres. After the rulers moved to the New Court on Dealul Spirii (1775) and the land was put up for auction in 1798, the place was swallowed by the surrounding merchant quarter.
Archaeological research begun in 1953 uncovered vaulted cellars, fragments of walls and the foundations of an older residence, and between 1969 and 1974 the ruins were laid out as a museum of the Bucharest Municipality Museum. The museum closed on 18 November 2015.
What you can see
The site is closed and fenced off, so the ruins can be seen only from the street, through the fence: the brick arches of the cellars, high brick walls, and columns and fragments of carved stone. Inside the site stands the bust of Vlad the Impaler, by the sculptor Dumitru Pasima. Next door is the Curtea Veche Church, another attraction on the same street.
Good to know
The palace has been closed to visitors since 18 November 2015. The consolidation works begun in 2018 stopped around 2020, and in September 2026 the Bucharest City Hall gave the order to start safety and conservation works, costing about 2 million lei and expected to last three months. The actual restoration will be a separate stage.
- The brick arches of the palace cellars, with high brick walls above them.
- The columns and fragments of carved stone in the site's courtyard.
- The bust of Vlad the Impaler, by the sculptor Dumitru Pasima.
- The Curtea Veche Church right next door, dedicated to the Annunciation and Saint Anthony.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the site is in the Old Town, ~4.7 km from Gara de Nord (~8 minutes, depending on traffic) and ~19 km from Otopeni Airport (~25 minutes). The surrounding streets are busy and partly pedestrianised; it is easier to leave the car around Piața Unirii and walk.
Public transport: the nearest metro station is Piața Unirii (M1, M2, M3), ~400 m away, ~5 minutes on foot.
- Where to park
The Old Town is a paid parking zone, with few spaces on the street, taken mostly in the evenings and at weekends. The most practical option is a public car park around Piața Unirii, a few minutes' walk away.
- Fees & discounts
No tickets are sold: the site is closed to visitors, and the ruins can be seen for free from the street.
- Rules
The building site is fenced and guarded, and entry is not permitted. The ruins can be photographed from the street, through the fence.
Frequently asked questions about Curtea Veche Princely Palace
How long does a visit to Curtea Veche Princely Palace take?
A visit to Curtea Veche Princely Palace takes about 10 min (seen from the street, through the fence).
Where can I park at Curtea Veche Princely Palace?
There is paid parking at Curtea Veche Princely Palace (paid central zone). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Curtea Veche Princely Palace?
Curtea Veche Princely Palace is located at Strada Franceză 21–23, București. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Curtea Veche Princely Palace?
The best season for Curtea Veche Princely Palace: All year round (the ruins can be seen all year).
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