Few Bucharest neighborhoods can boast a history as rich and layered as Băneasa. The area—known today mainly for its airport, the Royal Railway Station, and the Miorița Fountain—has roots reaching back to the 17th century, when it was a small village called Cârstănești. Beyond monuments, institutions, and historical events, the origin of its name lies in the story of a courageous, strong woman: the wife of the ban (governor) Mareș, known in that era as the “băneasa.”

Not only did she give the settlement its name, but she also played a decisive role in expanding the estate after her husband’s death. The history of Băneasa is thus built on a life story, and on the succession of personalities and events that transformed the village of Cârstănești into one of the capital’s most prestigious districts.

Where the name “Băneasa” comes from

In the 17th century, the area now called Băneasa was known as Cârstănești, a settlement under the authority of a ban named Mareș. At the time, the title of ban denoted one of the highest boyar ranks in Wallachia, with administrative and military powers.

His wife, an influential and determined woman, was addressed as the “băneasa.” After Mareș’s death, she took over the estate and helped expand it, consolidating the family’s prestige. Out of respect and recognition for her role, locals began referring to the settlement by her title, and “Băneasa” has remained ever since.

This story highlights the importance of women in local history who, though less visible in chronicles, played an essential role in maintaining and developing boyar estates.

The Văcărescu legacy and Saint Nicholas Church

A century later, the domain came into the possession of Ștefan Văcărescu, a prominent member of one of the most influential boyar families. His son, Ienăchiță Văcărescu—poet, historian, and diplomat—left his mark on Băneasa by building a manor (now lost) and the Church of Saint Nicholas.

Built in a style typical of the 18th century, the Saint Nicholas Church continues to function today, serving as a spiritual landmark for the neighborhood’s community. It recalls a time when boyar estates were not only residences but also centers of culture, education, and religious life.

The estate then underwent other changes, especially after Prince Gheorghe Bibescu sought to build a palace in the area. Work began near the current Royal Railway Station, but the 1848 Revolution halted the project, leaving it unfinished. Later, the land came under the administration of Maria Bibescu, Countess of Montesquiou-Fézensac, another remarkable female figure in the area’s history.

The future King Carol I’s entry into Bucharest

On May 10, 1866, the district witnessed a pivotal event: the entry into Bucharest of the future King Carol I. It was in Băneasa that he was presented with the key to the city, a sign of recognition and legitimacy as the new sovereign.

Another turning point came in the interwar period, when the village of Băneasa, known for its production and sale of dairy products, was administratively transformed into a commune. This step cemented its integration into the urban fabric of modern Bucharest.

Băneasa and the beginnings of aviation in Romania

At the start of the 20th century, Băneasa became a key site for Romanian aviation. On the grounds of the racecourse designed by architect Ion D. Berindey, the French aviator Louis Blériot performed the first demonstration flights in 1909.

Just three years later, the Romanian Air League, led by Prince George Valentin Bibescu, established here the country’s first school for civilian and military pilots. This institution trained generations of aviators and laid the foundations of modern Romanian aviation.

Later, as the airfield turned into an airport, a civilian aviation school and the Royal Romanian Aeroclub were opened as well. Thus, Băneasa became not just a district but a national reference point for the development of air transport.

Băneasa Airport—from airfield to international gateway

In 1947, work began on the new Băneasa terminal, a modern building for its time, designed in the shape of a three-bladed propeller. Construction lasted five years and was completed amid the sweeping postwar transformations.

Since 2007, the airport has been managed by the National Company “Bucharest Airports,” together with Henri Coandă Airport in Otopeni. Over time, Aurel Vlaicu – Băneasa Airport has welcomed numerous international figures: Pope John Paul II, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Bill Gates, as well as renowned artists like Madonna.

What was just an open field for early flight experiments at the beginning of the 20th century has become a true international gateway to Romania.

The Băneasa Royal Railway Station—history and protocol

Rail transport represents another important chapter in the district’s history. In the autumn of 1886, Băneasa Station was inaugurated, and over the decades it was used for major events involving the Royal Family.

In 1914, the body of King Carol I was brought here from Sinaia; and on December 1, 1918, members of the Royal Family disembarked at Băneasa to enter the capital on horseback, marking the union of all Romanian provinces. King Ferdinand also returned here from his coronation ceremony at Alba Iulia.

The station’s importance led to the construction, in 1936, of a new building—Mogoșoaia Royal Station, later renamed Băneasa Royal Station. During the communist period it served as a protocol station, and today it is used only occasionally, yet remains a symbol of the district’s connection to the history of Romania’s monarchy.

The Miorița Fountain—art and symbolism

Another emblematic landmark of the district is the Miorița Fountain, located near the “Prof. Dr. Nicolae Minovici” Museum of Folk Art. Designed by architect Octav Doicescu and decorated with a black-and-white mosaic by artist Miliția Petrașcu, the fountain renders in images the famous ballad “Miorița.”

Built of Dobrogea granite, with impressive dimensions—16 meters long, 0.6 meters wide, and 3.2 meters high—the fountain was inaugurated in 1936 as part of an exhibition. It is not only an architectural monument but also an expression of Romanian cultural identity, a bridge between tradition and modernity.

Băneasa today—a district with a strong identity

From the 17th-century village of Cârstănești to the present-day district, Băneasa has undergone a remarkable evolution. It has been a boyar estate, a cradle of Romanian aviation, a place of royal reception, and a site of architectural innovation.

Today, the district is a point of connection between history and modern life. Alongside the airport and the railway station, it is home to residential areas, cultural institutions, and green spaces, keeping Băneasa among the most attractive parts of Bucharest.

The story of Băneasa begins with a woman—the wife of Ban Mareș—who had the strength to manage and expand an estate in an era when women’s roles were often limited. She left behind not only a name, but an identity.

Over the centuries, Băneasa has witnessed the building of churches, manor houses, and palaces; historic flights and royal parades; urban transformations and major events. Today, the district carries within it the memory of these moments, remaining a space where past and present intertwine harmoniously.