Imagine Bucharest long ago. Around 1790, Casa de Târgoveț was built. This house stands as one of Bucharest’s oldest homes. It is a symbol of resilience.
Casa de Târgoveț offers a glimpse into the past. It survived political regimes and time itself. Iozefina Postăvaru an art historian says it is the oldest home of an average resident of Bucharest. Not a ruler or nobleman.
Back then Bucharest was known as Târgul București. The first owner was a townsman. In Romanian, a townsman was called “târgoveț”.
Casa de Târgoveț is located in “Mahalaua Sloboziei”. This area was named after the Sfântul Dumitru-Slobozia Church. Bucharest’s neighborhoods grew around churches. These churches were cared for by guilds.
The house’s original design reflects village traditions. It combines Wallachian styles with Balkan influences. The courtyard side shows unchanged 18th and early 19th-century architecture. It features porches and a high gazebo. This was a place for relaxation and viewing the surroundings.
In 1883, Stănescu Grigorie owned Casa de Târgoveț. He obtained permission to repair the facade. This was due to street systematization. Șerban Vodă Street needed widening. Owners had to move their facades back. Grigorie had to remove the front porch. He repaired the plaster giving the facade a modern stone-colored look.
Casa de Târgoveț faced many challenges. It withstood earthquakes and communist demolitions. It also suffered degradation over time. Yet it endures. One room still has its original intact ceiling.
Calea Șerban Vodă was important. Until the late 18th century it was the main entry point to Bucharest. All rulers travelers and merchants used this road. Casa de Târgoveț stands out from other houses. It has Balkan influences with its arcade porch wooden pillars and sculpted capitals.
The house has typical features. There are four rooms a hallway and a porch. The porch extends into a gazebo. Built on marshy land it has a tall cellar. The cellar features massive oak beams. Initially the roof was made of baked clay. Sheet metal was added later. The street facade has been restored several times. After Șerban Vodă Street was widened the facade was cut back. However the courtyard side remains unchanged. The house represents smaller versions of boyar residences. It uses traditional materials like wood and brick.
In 1937, Casa de Târgoveț housed an upholstery workshop. They made couches beds and studios here. In 1948, the house was nationalized. It served as a residence store or warehouse. In 1955, it became a historical monument. However it was neglected. By 1991, the house was 80% deteriorated. Walls and bricks were decaying. The roof and wooden pillars were worn.
The Ministry of Culture took ownership. Restoration began with top specialists. A new structural solution protected it from seismic risks. The original form was preserved. Wooden elements in the walls were highlighted.
Later the Ministry gave Casa de Târgoveț to the National Heritage Institute. In 2016, it hosted a workshop for design and architecture students. They developed the courtyard and cellar. The aim was to open the space for cultural events.
Casa de Târgoveț prepares to become the headquarters. It will be a center for cultural heritage information. The center is designed to be an open space. It will be a place for locals and tourists alike.
Today Casa de Târgoveț blends Balkan tranquility with a capital’s modernization. Its old walls courtyard and historical details create a special place. It inspires many.
Casa de Târgoveț is more than a building. It is a reminder of Bucharest’s past. A testament to the enduring spirit of its people. Its story continues to unfold inspiring us to protect our heritage.