Sights · 30 of the best in Bucharest
Old Princely Court
Where Bucharest began
About Old Princely Court
Curtea Veche, the Old Princely Court, is where Bucharest began. The princes of Wallachia built a palace here in the 15th century, and the city’s name first appears in a document of 1459 signed by Vlad III, the prince known as Vlad the Impaler and the inspiration for Dracula. Today you can see the ruins, the cellars and a bust of Vlad, with the princely church of the 16th century beside them.
Why it's on our list
- The ruins of the princely palace
- Linked with Vlad III, “Dracula”
- The old princely church beside it
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Old Princely Court before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Old Princely Court are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro stations
- Piața UniriiM1M2M3300 m4 min walk
- UniversitateM2650 m8 min walk
- IzvorM1M31.0 km12 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Strada Halelor100 m1 min walk
- Taxi rank, Pasajul Unirii300 m3 min walk
Key sights
- Cărturești Carusel200 mWalk 3 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Stavropoleos Monastery300 mWalk 3 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Revolution Square1.0 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Palace of the Parliament1.1 kmWalk 14 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Cișmigiu Gardens1.2 kmWalk 15 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 6 min
- National Museum of Art of Romania1.2 kmWalk 15 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Romanian Athenaeum1.3 kmWalk 16 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Museum of the Romanian Peasant3.0 kmWalk 38 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Arcul de Triumf4.5 kmCycle 18 minCar or taxi 17 min
- National Village Museum5.0 kmCycle 20 minCar or taxi 18 min
Getting around
- Gara de Nord (main station)2.9 kmWalk 36 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Henri Coandă Airport (OTP)16 kmCar or taxi 50 min