Royal Court of Targoviste

The Royal Court of Targoviste, an architectural complex in Romania, was built between the 15th and 17th centuries. Located in Targoviste, which served as the capital of Wallachia for three centuries, the site sits on a key trade route linking Wallachia to Transylvania and the Balkan Peninsula. The complex includes a southern gate, royal palace, bell tower, royal gardens, fortifications, the Chindia Tower, Lady Balasa’s home, and several churches. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of the royal palace and its gardens, admire the frescoes in the Great Royal Church, including portraits of Wallachian rulers, and view old pottery in the Small Royal Church. The 15th-century Chindia Tower offers a viewing platform accessible via a climb of over 100 stairs, and hosts an exhibition on Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure behind Dracula.