Envision grand balls and lavish parties. Palatul Știrbei once pulsed with life. This palace stands as a landmark on Calea Victoriei. It boasts nearly 200 years of history. The Palatul Știrbei offers a unique architectural presence.
Around 1835, the future ruler of Wallachia, Barbu Știrbei, commissioned the palace. He was then the Grand Logothete of Justice. French architect Michel Sanjouand designed it. The neoclassical style features Greek elements. From 1849 to 1856, Barbu Știrbei used it as a royal residence. Many formal events occurred here.
After 1869, Barbu Știrbei’s sons owned the palace. They built stables and annexes behind it. Prince Alexandru Știrbei requested architect Friedrich Hartman to restore it in 1881. An additional floor was added. The facade got decorated with four caryatids. Also a northeast tower got added.
During the communist era, the state confiscated Palatul Știrbei. From 1954 to 1977, it housed the Museum of Folk Art. Later, it became the Museum of Glass and Ceramics. This was a section of the National Museum of Art.
In 2005, the palace was returned to Barbu Știrbei’s descendants. They sold it to a Romanian businessman for about 11 million euros.
Demolitions occurred in late 2008. They affected the buildings attached to the Palatul Știrbei complex. Architect Adrian Bălteanu considered these buildings as highly valuable. He noted they deserved maximum protection.
Today, Palatul Știrbei stands amidst modern buildings. Haute couture boutiques and hotels surround it. Fine dining restaurants and cultural sites add to the area’s appeal. The Romanian Athenaeum and the Royal Palace are nearby. Palatul Știrbei blends its original neoclassical design. It also incorporates modern architectural techniques. This creates a synergy between old and new. The goal is to maintain high quality and aesthetic integrity. Palatul Știrbei is a cultural and historical treasure. It provides relaxation art culture and entertainment.