Ghencea, located in Sector 5 of Bucharest, is today one of the oldest and most historically rich neighborhoods of the capital. With a population of approximately 180,000 inhabitants, the area is divided into two main sectors: Old Ghencea, consisting mostly of apartment blocks built in the 1970s, and New Ghencea, currently under development along Ghencea Boulevard and Drumul Cooperativei, along with the adjacent streets.

The historical roots of the Ghencea neighborhood

The first documented mention of the neighborhood dates back to 1852, on a map created by Major A. Borroczyn, where it was listed as “Mahalaua Ghencea”. 

This name is closely linked to the Phanariot period when Wallachian rulers used detachments of arnăuți, mercenaries of Serbian, Greek, or Albanian origin, to maintain control and order in the capital. 

The commander of these troops was called ghenci-aga in Turkish, meaning “chief of the strongmen,” which is the origin of the neighborhood’s name, located in the southwestern part of Bucharest.

The history of the mahalaua is also tied to the Burnăzești boyars, who founded Ghencea Church in 1820. This church served as the core around which the local community developed, acting as the spiritual and social center of the mahalaua.

Tudor Vladimirescu and the pandurs’ camp in Ghencea

A particularly significant chapter in Ghencea’s history is linked to Tudor Vladimirescu and the revolution of 1821. On March 21, 1821, the revolutionary army led by Vladimirescu entered Bucharest via Podul Calicilor, from Calea Rahovei, and was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd.

Vladimirescu controlled the capital for two months and established his pandurs’ camp precisely on the land that today constitutes the Ghencea neighborhood. This location was strategically chosen due to its proximity to Cotroceni Monastery, which allowed him to secure protection and maintain control over the area. 

The presence of the pandurs gave the mahalaua both prestige and symbolic importance, marking it as a site of resistance and military engagement in Bucharest’s history.

The development of the mahalaua and Ghencea Church

After the 1821 revolution, Mahalaua Ghencea grew around the church built by the Burnăzești boyars. In 1937, the old church, originally built in 1820, was demolished to make way for a larger, modern church, better suited to the needs of the community. 

This change reflected urban and religious developments in the area and marked an important moment in the neighborhood’s evolution.

During the communist regime, Ghencea underwent profound transformations. The old houses, many almost a century old, were replaced with apartment blocks, constructed from the 1950s up until 1989. 

Only a few of the original houses survived, located on Tânganului Street and serg. Postolache Street. This urban redevelopment radically altered the neighborhood’s appearance, transforming it into a typical communist-era district, with uniform blocks and centralized infrastructure.

Industry and military units in Ghencea

During the communist era, Ghencea also hosted industrial units, including the Tricodava textile factory and the Munplast plastic factory, which provided significant employment opportunities for the residents. Simultaneously, Ghencea became a key military center, housing numerous units of the Romanian Army along Ghencea Boulevard.

A military training ground was also established in this area, still used today for preparing soldiers before the official December 1st military parade. The training ground symbolizes the strong connection between the neighborhood and the Romanian Army, with Ghencea being recognized for both its strategic and educational role in military preparation.

The 30th Guard Regiment Mihai Viteazul

Ghencea is home to one of the Romanian Army’s most important units: the 30th Guard Regiment Mihai Viteazul, whose origins date back to 1860, when ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza established the Tiraliori Battalion. This unit was tasked with guarding the Royal Palace and the Ministry of War.

On August 15, 1941, the unit was renamed Royal Guard Battalion. After the fall of the communist regime, it was reorganized as the 30th Guard Brigade. 

In 1995, it received the honorary title Mihai Viteazul, and on July 25, 2001, it returned to regiment level as the 30th Guard and Protocol Regiment Mihai Viteazul, a name simplified in 2006 to 30th Guard Regiment Mihai Viteazul.

Today, the regiment is considered an elite unit of the Romanian Army, consisting of two ceremonial battalions and one military police battalion. Its presence in Ghencea highlights the strategic and symbolic role of the neighborhood, which continues to be a reference point for national military pride.

Ghencea today

Today, Ghencea is a modern neighborhood where tradition and modernity coexist. The 1970s apartment blocks share space with a few historic houses, and the street infrastructure continues to develop, particularly in New Ghencea. 

The neighborhood has maintained its military significance, with the training ground and historic regiment remaining active symbols of its past.

Additionally, the area has vibrant cultural and commercial activity. Its streets and boulevards are home to a diverse population, preserving a distinct identity shaped by history, tradition, and military presence.

Ghencea is more than just an urban space; it is a witness to Bucharest’s history. From Ghenci-aga’s mercenaries to Tudor Vladimirescu’s pandurs, from Ghencea Church founded by the Burnăzești boyars to the communist-era apartment blocks and elite military units, every element tells the story of a rich and complex past.

Today, Ghencea remains a lively neighborhood with a large and diverse community, where history blends with everyday life. Its military and cultural heritage continues to provide identity and continuity for this corner of Bucharest.

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