luxury house for sale Craiova, Romania

One of the most beautiful manors of Oltenia, Romano Mansion in Pleșoiu was built between 1920 and 1925 after the plans of Grigore Cerchez. Although erected in the interwar period, the manor has a long and intense history going all the way back to Tudor Vladimirescu’s times and also all the way to Russia where it get its name. The brothers Romanov, because they are the ones that started this story, were seven brothers from Russia that were hired mercenaries in Tudor’s Army. A few of them stayed forever in Oltenia: two of them killed during the Battle from Drăgășani and one of them settling at Pleșoiu where he started a family that over the years will build this magnificent beauty we admire even today. Taken by the communists in 1949, the manor became a students camp, then a farm, then a school, while in the last years of the communist times it was considered to be the “private retreat of Emil Barbulescu, the nephew of Nicolae Ceausescu himself and a very important figure of the Olt county of those times. The manor was given back to the heirs of the Romano family in 1998 and since then it went through some renovations and repairs. The manor is spectacular, with rich decorations as we would expect from a very exuberant neoromanian style of Grigore Cerchez: the high tower with beautiful design, the round smaller tower on the opposite corner, de façade decorations, the monumental pillars marking the main entrance and the tri-lobes arches being only a few of the elements that are really eye-catching. The manor itself, the main building, has a 313 sqm footprint nd a total built area of 429 sqm, while additionally we will find two more buildings that offer usable space: a second home, as old as the manor, with a total built area of 128 sqm and a more recent construction with a total built area of 339 sqm. The gate is a monument in itself, with two high and very imposing towers, that make the entry to the property resemble the access in an old citadel or in a cathedral. The domain is a lot bigger, has a total of 8.57 ha and comprises a lot more elements : a 1 ha pond with fish, a big size pool (more than 400 sqm) , more small annex buildings but also a big one, with more than 300 sqm footprint, that can be transformed at will by its future owners. With such a rich history that it can become a screenplay for an adventure movie, with an unmatched architectural beauty and with such a large domain, the Romano Mansion is a valuable asset that can be transformed in a beautiful hotel, an events center or a clinic. However it can also be used as it once was, as the main residence with a lot of character, with an important historical and architectural value.

Nestled within the enchanting landscapes of Dobra, the Poenaru Manor stands as a testament to the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era. Surrounded by lush vegetation and green hills, this stately residence exudes an air of mystery and historical significance, having once been the cherished abode of the illustrious boyar family of Poenaru. One of the most prominent boyar families of Oltenia, the Poenaru dynasty is a large one, with important representatives in the political, cultural and scientific life of Romania during the last two centuries. The story of the Dobra domain starts with Costadin (Dinca) Poenaru (1789-1874) who inherits and then extends family’s lands all across Mehedinți county. But is is Constantin Poenaru (1860-1946) the one that puts his entire life and energy into developing the Dobra Domain to what it is today. Approaching the manor, one is immediately struck by the imposing façade that speaks of both opulence and noble heritage. The architecture seamlessly combines Classical and Renaissance influences, resulting in a harmonious blend of intricate stonework, sober features but also delicate ornate details. As you step inside, a sense of timelessness envelops you. The interior exudes an aura of faded grandeur, with high vaulted ceilings adorned by old bricks walls that can tell some century old tales and historical events. The grand foyer, illuminated by the soft glow of antique chandeliers, leads to a series of once lavishly decorated rooms. The heart of the manor is undoubtedly the grand hall, a space designed to host extravagant gatherings and events. Towering windows allow natural light to cascade onto the large halls that lead to rooms who used to be used for living, for doing business or for spending time with friends. The expansive gardens that envelop the Poenaru Manor are a verdant paradise, with a large wallnuts orchard, vibrant flowerbeds, and meandering pathways that invite contemplative strolls. The domain contains a series of very valuable annex buildings: small renovated house (128 sqm), a beautiful former barn (166 sqm), the large storage (3 levels on a 327 sqm footprint) and a small block of apartments (2 levels on a 174 sqm footprint). The total land plot has 11 hectares , out of which 7 are owned and 4 are leased from the city hall. While time has inevitably left its mark on the Poenaru Manor, it remains a well preserved cherished jewel in Dobra's and Oltenia’s historical tapestry, a living testament to the legacy of the boyar family that once graced its halls. It can be used as such, as a beautiful residence for permanent living or for vacation, or can be turned into a small farm, a beautiful boutique hotel or a medical care center.

Surrounded by abundant vegetation, the tower lifts its tiled roof to survey the distance. Times are quiet now, but at the end of the 18th century when it was built, Pazvantoglu, the pasa from Vidin known to the residents as Pazvante Chioru, used to raid the area. The Phanariot lordships did not have the ability to ensure the protection of the territories far from the capital, that is why the Oltenian boyars built forts, fortified houses meant to protect their wealth in case of attack. It is interesting to note the uniqueness of this type of construction, which was no longer built after 1821 because the attacks stopped after Tudor Vladimirescu's revolution, therefore their construction no longer made sense. The rarity makes the appearance of such a house on the real estate market an event, an opportunity. The word cula comes from the Turkish, where kule means tower, and names this type of one-story house that can be found here in the south of the country, but also south of the Danube, in Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia from North, Montenegro, Kosovo Region. The house of the Voiculescu family follows the classical architectural line, having compact, solid volumes, well placed on the ground, located in an isolated place, surrounded by countryside and peace, with good visibility over the area. With thick walls, internal stairs between floors, reinforced doors, hiding places, narrow windows and hatches, today the cule are private homes or appreciated and loved tourist units. The Brancoveneanu-inspired loggia is a wonderful place to avoid too hot summers, and the wine cellar has potential for winter shelter in front of a fireplace and mulled wine. Cula became the property of the current family in 1915, having been bought by Ion .V Voiculescu, landlord, son of the teacher Vasile Voiculescu and grandson of the peasant-deputy Ioan Voicu(lescu), who represented Gorj alongside the famous Gheorghe Magheru and Christian Tell (the historical moments were immortalized in Bucharest by the photographer Carol Popp de Szathmary - see photo). Although coming from a not very rich family, Ion V. Voiculescu still had some land that attracted the attention of the rebels during the 1907 peasant rebellion and later allowed himself to buy 250 ha from Dimitrie I. Mongescu. Cula is located on these newly acquired lands. The Mongescu family had close ties with Tudor Vladimirescu and the revolutionary movement led by him, one great-grandfather, Vasile Moanga (Mongescu), being a good friend of Tudor Vladimirescu and the treasurer of his revolutionary 1821 movement. History says that before reading the declaration in Pades, Tudor Vladimirescu and his people spent the night in the cula of Copaceni (the current Voiculescu cula in Cornesti), which at that time supposedly belonged to Barbu Viisoreanu, an influential administrator in the county and deputy of Gorj during the Organic Regulation. More recent history shows that Ion Voiculescu donated the house and the 10.5 ha that surrounded it to his son, Vasile Voiculescu, who later, in 1949, was forcibly removed from the house by communists in the middle of the night; his wealth was expropriated, the former nobleman receiving mandatory residence in a room in Targu Jiu and being forced to work as a porter in the city station, unloading freight wagons. The state neglected the cula; between 1947-1997 it was transformed into an I.A.S., with day laborers staying on the ground floor, chickens raised in the hallways and sheep sheltered in the attic in winter. The descendants of the boyar expropriated by the communists today own the building together with the 10.5 ha of land.

Situated in the heart of an idyllic landscape, the small manor on the green hills of Horezu is an oasis of tranquility and natural beauty, regardless of the season. Whether it's autumn, with the gentle sun warming the green hills, or winter, with swirling snow and sparkling frost, every moment spent here is simply magical. A Remarkable Natural Setting Located at an altitude of 680 meters, the Manor enjoys a unique view, surrounded by the hills of Horezu and the Buila Vânturarița mountains. Its architecture recalls the boyar residences, with a gentle and serene air, neo-Romanian style windows, and an elegant white façade. Spacious and Comfortable Spaces The house has 465 square meters of usable space, spread across the basement, ground floor, and first floor. The salon is a warm and welcoming space with exposed brick, wood, and leather furniture. It is approximately 90 square meters, located in the basement, and in addition to the recreational space, there are technical areas, a kitchen, and a toilet. On the ground floor, one can enjoy the breakfast lounge, a guest room, and a generous 73-square-meter apartment. The first floor offers two spacious rooms and a luxurious apartment, perfect for relaxation. All rooms have their own bathroom and terrace. The spaces are furnished with quality materials: earth-tone tiles and ceramics, oak parquet, and furniture that complements the manor's interior. The property's terraces offer a spectacular view over the hills, ideal for meditation or contemplation. Facilities and Comfort The property has a 1200-square-meter courtyard with well-maintained lawn, ornamental plants, and an orchard (apple, pear, cherry, walnut, and lime trees). For those who enjoy rustic cooking, there is a grill with a stove and wood oven in the courtyard. The house is heated with a central heating system with an air/water pump, providing comfort during winter, and the temperature inside the house can be remotely programmed for each zone. Parking spaces for five cars are arranged in the yard. For the Dynamic and Culture Enthusiasts The area has numerous attractions such as the town of Horezu, the monasteries in the region, the Trovant Museum, pottery workshops, and other crafts. The Hurezi Monastery and the local pottery are part of the UNESCO heritage – an attraction for both Romanian and foreign tourists. For nature lovers, there are hiking trails, caves, gorges, and the possibility of sledding. Development Potential The property fits well as a residence for a family, serving as a perfect retreat for those seeking tranquility and the beauties of nature. If the intention is to include the location in the tourist circuit, the potential is immense. On the approximately 7000 square meters of unused pasture, a successful business can be developed in an area that is increasingly appreciated by tourists.