Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani
About Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani
The Ghergani estate was the country residence of Ion Ghica (1816–1897), a statesman, diplomat and writer, and of his wife Alexandrina, a pianist. Between 1869 and 1888 the manor was rebuilt in two stages from Ghica's own sketches, with the architects Dimitrie Berindei and George Mandrea, as a "maison de plaisance" in a French-inspired eclectic style; the chapel and the park were laid out at the same time. Guests of the house included Vasile Alecsandri, George Enescu and Nicolae Grigorescu, and Grigorescu's painting "The Gypsy Woman of Ghergani" once hung here.
After the First World War the estate declined: the 1940 earthquake brought down the upper floor of the manor, and after nationalisation the building was used as a hospital, including a children's hospital. In 2009 the estate was recovered by the heirs, who are restoring it with their own funds under the lead of the descendant Irina Bossy-Ghica. The ensemble is a listed historical monument (LMI code DB-II-a-A-17516).
What you can see
In the park you see the manor, for now mostly as an exterior and as a structure under restoration; the main surviving original interior decoration is the coffered ceiling of the main salon. A path links the manor to the 1869 chapel, whose crypt holds Ion Ghica and Alexandrina. Beside the chapel are the tombs of Irina Ghica and of the aviator Ionel Ghica, and around them lies the old park, enclosed by a boundary wall.
Good to know
The estate has no fixed visiting hours: it opens for events (heritage days, cultural evenings, garden exhibitions) and otherwise, according to the organisers' listings, visits are by telephone appointment. The manor is still a work in progress, so access to the interior depends on the stage of the restoration. The estate belongs to the Castles Route of the "Attractive Romania" programme, which funds only tourist promotion, not the works.
Information verified on 13 October 2026.
- The 1869 chapel, with the crypt where Ion Ghica and his wife Alexandrina are buried.
- The eclectic manor, under restoration, rebuilt between 1869 and 1888 by the architects Dimitrie Berindei and George Mandrea.
- The coffered ceiling of the main salon, the only original interior decoration that survives.
- The old park, with its boundary wall and the family tombs beside the chapel.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the estate is in the village of Ghergani (town of Răcari), on the DN71, the Bucharest–Târgoviște road, ~40 km from Bucharest. The entrance is on Strada Ion Ghica.
Public transport: the village has a railway station (Ghergani); the rest of the way is on foot or by taxi.
- Rules
Visits are made with the owners' agreement, at events or by appointment. The interior of the manor is a restoration site, and the chapel and tombs are resting places: dress decently and keep quiet.
- Facilities
Park · chapel · no permanent tourist facilities
Frequently asked questions about Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani
- How long does a visit to Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani take?
- A visit to Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani takes about ½ – 1 hours (park, chapel, manor exterior).
- Can you visit Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani with kids?
- Yes, Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani is suitable for children (large park, room for a walk).
- How do I get to Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani?
- Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani is located at Strada Ion Ghica, on the DN71, Ghergani, Dâmbovița County. By car: the estate is in the village of Ghergani (town of Răcari), on the DN71, the Bucharest–Târgoviște road, ~40 km from Bucharest. The entrance is on Strada Ion Ghica. Public transport: the village has a railway station (Ghergani); the rest of the way is on foot or by taxi.
- When is the best time to visit Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani?
- The best season for Ion Ghica Estate in Ghergani: April – October (park: spring to autumn).
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