Nicolae Mavrogheni remains in the history of Wallachia as an unusual ruler, remembered for the spectacular image of his carriage drawn by deer with gilded antlers. Beyond this eccentricity, which entered Bucharest folklore, Mavrogheni was a Phanariot ruler who drew close to the people, helped the needy, strengthened the role of churches, and sought to modernize the capital. 

An Eccentric Ruler Close to the People

Yet all these efforts came at a high price, as he ultimately paid with his life for his boldness and determination to change the order of the time.

His reign, between 1786 and 1790, lasted only four years, but it left a visible mark. Wallachia regained an army, Bucharest received a network of public fountains, and the city began to gradually take shape as a more organized and modern urban space. 

Even though his era was marked by war, Mavrogheni managed to introduce substantial changes to the lives of ordinary people.

How a Greek from the Aegean Islands Came to the Throne

Nicolae Mavrogheni was not born in Phanar like the other Phanariot rulers but in the village of Marmara on the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea, into an aristocratic Greek family. 

From a young age, he entered Ottoman naval service and became an influential figure with important diplomatic and political missions. He saved several Greek islands from destruction after the 1770 revolt and became the dragoman of the fleet, a position equivalent to that of a foreign minister.

He received the throne of Wallachia as a gift from the kapudan pasha, the Ottoman fleet commander who valued him. In March 1786, he replaced Mihail Suțu, a relatively popular ruler, which sparked dissatisfaction both in Wallachia and in Phanar. 

Many considered him unfit for the throne because “he was not of their kin,” and on the very day of his appointment, one of his opponents was killed, darkening the beginning of his reign. On May 17, 1786, Mavrogheni officially entered Bucharest.

A Ruler with Firm Ideas on the City and Public Order

From the first months of his reign, Mavrogheni stood out for decisive measures. He ordered the streets of Bucharest to be reconstructed according to zones: straw and twigs in the neighborhoods, wooden planks on the main arteries. He imposed clear rules for construction, so buildings would be legally erected and harmoniously integrated, laying the groundwork for a rudimentary urban planning system.

Additionally, he introduced an unusual measure: after sunset, the city was off-limits. A cannon fired from the fortress marked the hour, and anyone still on the streets faced severe punishment. This discipline, though harsh, aimed to maintain public order and protect the safety of residents.

Relationship with the Church and the Faithful

Mavrogheni was also concerned with religious life. At times dressed as a monk, he visited churches to observe the conduct of services. When he discovered that some priests were neglecting their duties, he was angered and ordered that services be held regardless of the number of attendees.

He also exempted certain churches from taxes, provided resources for candles and incense, and supported impoverished communities. 

He built the church at the head of Podul Mogoșoaiei, dedicated to the monastery in his native Paros, and established a complex with a princely pavilion, water reservoir, and garden. Furthermore, he is credited with founding the Filantropia Hospital, one of Bucharest’s oldest medical institutions.

Harsh Justice and Distrust of the Boyars

Mavrogheni sought to stay close to the people, sometimes disguised, inspecting markets and shops to witness the reality firsthand. At the same time, he distrusted boyars and punished or exiled those who opposed him. He even sought imperial approval to execute his enemies, which contributed to his reputation as a severe ruler.

In justice, he insisted that judges act fairly according to law. He also enacted extreme measures: captured thieves had to be presented by their heads, and guards who allowed escapees were executed. 

Residents had to leave their doors unlocked, with any loss compensated by him, while violators were whipped or impaled. He also ordered spikes erected at crossroads as a warning to criminals. These measures, harsh though they were, aimed to create safety in a city plagued by theft.

Tax Burden and Support for the Army

Like other Phanariot rulers, Mavrogheni had to pay huge sums to the Ottoman Porte to maintain his throne. The difference was that he did not burden peasants or poor city dwellers but targeted wealthy boyars and merchants, especially Greeks who had accumulated questionable wealth. In this way, he raised funds for churches, public works, and—most importantly—for the army.

Contrary to Ottoman restrictions, Mavrogheni reestablished the Wallachian army. He assembled 10,000 well-paid and well-fed soldiers, organized on the Ottoman model. His forces, including seimeni, arnăuți, and other units, fought alongside the Ottomans in the Russo-Turkish-Austrian War (1787–1792). Though achieving some victories, they also suffered defeats, notably at Mărtinești in 1789, losing thousands of men and dozens of cannons.

Fall from Grace and Tragic End

In early 1790, Mavrogheni’s fortunes changed. His protector, the kapudan pasha, died, and a hostile grand vizier came to power. The Wallachian boyars, including Ienăchiță Văcărescu, contributed to his downfall. Accused of falsifying a firman and disobedience to the Porte, he was arrested.

On September 30, 1790, in Beala, south of the Danube, Nicolae Mavrogheni was executed by order of the grand vizier. Thus ended the life of an atypical ruler who tried to modernize Wallachia and stay close to the people but paid with his life for his courage.

The Legacy of Nicolae Mavrogheni

Today, Nicolae Mavrogheni is often remembered for his deer-drawn carriage, but in reality, he was much more than an eccentric figure. He was a ruler who sought to organize the city, enforce justice, reform the army, and provide order and faith for his people. He built churches, supported impoverished communities, and left visible marks on Bucharest.

Although his reign was brief and ended violently, Mavrogheni remains a fascinating figure in Romanian history. Between eccentricity and vision, between audacity and pragmatism, he was the ruler who earned his place in collective memory not only through spectacular gestures but also through the reforms he dared to implement in a difficult and suspicious era.

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