Bucharest, today the capital of Romania, was not always the seat of power. Historians place its origins in the 14th–15th centuries, but there is no clear consensus on its founding. Some theories link it to Mircea the Elder, who is said to have used the “Citadel of Dâmbovița” as a winter residence, while others point to the shepherd Bucur, whose name the city allegedly bears. There is also the hypothesis that Negru Vodă may have played a role in founding the settlement.

The first reliable documentary mention of Bucharest dates back to 1459, through a charter issued by Vlad Țepeș to the boyars. From that moment, the city began to appear regularly in official documents, but to become a capital it first had to face competition from Târgoviște, which at the time was the political and commercial center of Wallachia.

Radu cel Frumos and the first princely residences

The first ruler to actually settle in Bucharest was Radu cel Frumos, brother of Vlad Țepeș. Supported by the Ottoman Empire, he preferred to remain close to the protection of the Turks, which is why he established his residence here. From 1463 we have the first documents issued by him in the “citadel of Bucharest,” marking the beginning of the town’s transformation into a princely seat.

Although Radu cel Frumos cannot be considered the founder of the city, his reign confirmed for the first time that Bucharest was becoming an official residence of the voivode of Wallachia.

Commerce: the key to development

A decisive factor that distinguished Bucharest from Târgoviște was trade. While Târgoviște had initially dominated through commercial ties with the Saxons of Brașov, the growing influence of the Ottoman Empire shifted the balance. Bucharest, located on the route linking Brașov to Giurgiu and further to the Balkans, became the main transit point for goods.

Greek merchants, with business connections throughout the Ottoman world, contributed to the city’s growing importance. By the 16th century, Bucharest had become the economic center of Wallachia, a development that also strengthened its political role.

Strategic advantages

Beyond commerce, Bucharest offered significant strategic benefits. The city was protected by Wallachia’s dense forests and stood on hills that provided good visibility over the surrounding area. The Dâmbovița River, with its marshy zones, added a natural barrier against attacks.

These conditions made Bucharest a safer defensive point than Târgoviște. It is no coincidence that Vlad Țepeș, Michael the Brave, and other rulers used Bucharest as a base for military campaigns against the Ottomans or for coordinating foreign policy.

The official move of the capital

The decisive moment came in 1659, when, under Ottoman pressure, Bucharest was designated the capital of Wallachia. The choice was dictated both by Ottoman interests and by the city’s commercial and military advantages.

Although some rulers later continued to return to Târgoviște, including Constantin Brâncoveanu, the general perception had already been established: Bucharest had become the political and administrative center of the country. Over time, the city expanded, with churches, inns, and boyar residences being built, consolidating its role as capital.

The transformation of the town

From a simple medieval settlement with commercial importance, Bucharest managed to surpass Târgoviște thanks to its trade with the Ottoman Empire and its strategic location. The decision in 1659 to turn it into the capital marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that would ultimately lead to its status as the capital of modern Romania.