until its consolidation as the national capital of Romania late in the 19th century. First mentioned as the 'Citadel of Bucuresti' in 1459, it became the residence of the ruler of Wallachia, Voivode Vlad the Impaler.

The Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche) was erected by Mircea Ciobanul in the mid-16th century. Under subsequent rulers, Bucharest was established