Mogoşoaia Palace

Built between 1698 and 1702 by a rich Romanian aristocrat Constantin Brancoveanu, the Mogoșoaia Palace is famous as an architectural monument because its façade is dominated by traditional staircase balconies, vaulted ceilings, hand-carved doors, columns with capitals, and arcades that have come to be known as Romanian Renaissance style, which is a combination of Ottoman and Venetian elements. The Palace bears the name of the widow of the Romanian boyar Mogos, who originally owned the property on which the Palace was built. In 1714 Constantin, who was the prince of southern Romania, was killed along with his four sons. At this point, the Palace was confiscated by the Ottomans and converted into an inn, but returned to the aristocrats of Romania some years later. The Palace was devastated by Ottoman forces during the Russo-Turisk War of 1768 to 1774. In early 1821 it was nearly destroyed during a revolution.