Târgoviște, Medieval capital in Dâmbovița County, Romania
Târgoviște is a municipality in Dâmbovița County, southern Romania, sitting on the Ialomița River below the Transylvanian Alps. The old town spreads around the former princely court, while newer districts climb gentle hills and link apartment blocks with parks and wide streets.
The town was founded in the 14th century and served as the capital of Wallachia until the mid-17th century. Several princes ruled from here, including Vlad III, who expanded the princely court and built the Chindia Tower in the 15th century.
The name comes from a Slavic word meaning marketplace, recalling the days when merchants from several regions gathered here to trade. Today, visitors walk through courtyards where rulers once held receptions and made decisions that shaped the region.
The town lies on several national roads and can be reached by car from Bucharest in about one hour. Train connections run to larger cities across the country, making it easy for visitors to include the place in a longer trip through the region.
The former residence of Princess Safta now houses a museum of rare books, displaying some of the earliest printed Romanian texts. Visitors can admire editions from the 16th century that are often overlooked when they focus only on the princely court.
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