|
 |
|
|
Old Royal Court |
Old Royal Court |
The Old Royal Court
During the early middle Ages,
Bucharest became a commercial center; important enough to enable the XIV century
voivodes build the Princely Canot - known as "The Old Court" - which constituted the nucleus for the
development of the medieval town.
The first mention of the name of "Bucharest"
is dating from September 20, 1459: the mention appears on a document issued from
the chancellery of the famous Prince Vlad
Tepes (the Impaler).
By the year 1599, a new Princely
Canot is being built, and several churches were raised by the end of the 16th
century.
During the 17th century,
the princes Radu Serban (1602-1611) and Radu Mihnea (1611-1616 and
1620-1623) worked intensely in renewing the town.
Matei Basarab (1632-1654) repaired
the Old Court, and built the churches "of the Saint Apostles",
Sarindar and Plumbuita.
By 1640, because the voivode’s
relations with the Turks worsened, Matei Basarab moved his Capital back to the
town of Targoviste.
Bucharest still remained a princely residence. In May 1654, the Prince
Constantin Serban Basarab (1654-1658), Matei Basarab’s successor entered
Bucharest for a short period of time, as, after the revolt of his mercenary
troops, in February 1655, he left Bucharest to Targoviste, ordering Bucharest
and the Old Court to be set of fire.
| 
