The Regal Court from Targoviste
The first mentioning of Targoviste as a capital of Tara Romaneasca was made in 1427 by Hans Schiltberger. But as an act belonging ro Mihail 1st shows, the son and rulling associate of Mircea cel Batran, between 1417-1418, Curtea Domneasca is remembered as a capital. The strengthen of the fortifications was probably made during Vlad Dracul, or later during Vlad Tepes. Therefore the citadel has the most important fortifications during the 15th century, for example the defending ditch that had a width of 20-24 m and 4 m deep, being fortified with a wood fence.
As a result of Mihnea the 3rd’s revolt, The Ottoman Empire ordered to Gheorghe Chica to destroy the court, having the purpose to prevent a possible revolt. But during the rulling of Constantin Brancoveanu new works of rebuilding the fortifications, especially the palace, the church and the utilitarian buildings.
After the Romanian-Russian war from 1736-1739, Curtea Domneasca was set on fire, being produced serious damages and after an earthquake to be affected the ruins of the fortified edifice. Grigore the 2nd Ghica restored it in some places between 1748-1752, but because of a new fire and earthquake in 1803 there was produced the total degradation of the fortifications.
The most important buildings from the citadel are: the palace, that was build around 1400 by Mircea cel Batran, The Chindia Tower, built by Vlad Tepes around 1460, that was the donjon of the citadel, the St Friday Church, The Big Lordly Church, along which we can also mention the Paralic Old Church, Baia Domneasca, Balasa House, The Watchtower.
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