Hanul Zamfir Simeon

In the heart of Bucharest’s bustling Lipscani district, a mystery lies hidden in plain sight. We stand before Hanul Zamfir Simeon, a place whose story winds through centuries of commerce, devotion, and architectural echoes. Hanul Zamfir Simeon was built in the early 1700s during the reign of Constantin Brancoveanu. It was commissioned by a prominent merchant named Zamfir, known as the “Elder of the Merchants”. The original inn fell victim to time, an earthquake in 1802, and a fire in 1804. It was then rebuilt between 1805 and 1809 by merchant Athanasie Dumitriu. He later sold it due to high rent and debts. The inn was given to Sarindari Monastery by a former owner in the 18th century, possibly as thanks for recovery from an illness. The monastery acquired great wealth through such donations. Interestingly, Hanul Zamfir Simeon is sometimes called Hanul Simion or even Hanul Pescarului (Fisherman’s Inn). The old Blanari Street used to curve around three sides of the inn, before it was straightened in 1935. The inn’s demolition in 1935 marked the loss of a remarkable Bucharest landmark, with its beautiful arcades. Yet, echoes of Hanul Zamfir Simeon persist. When the inn was demolished, architect G. Simotta designed the new building on the site to preserve its memory. The building’s inner courtyard features a colonnade mimicking the inn’s original columns. While initially thought to be the original limestone columns, they are actually newer, with a polygonal cross-section rather than round. The metal doors beneath the colonnade bear the same decorative question mark motif as the old shop doors of Hanul Zamfir Simeon. This continuity between old and new offers a subtle tribute to the inn’s rich history. Even though the original Hanul Zamfir Simeon is gone, its spirit remains, woven into the fabric of this vibrant city.