luxury properties for sale Bucharest, Romania

We associate Timișoara, and the entire west of the country, with the Habsburg or Austro-Hungarian empire, that is, with the West forgetting that another empire, the Ottoman, occupied the city for 164 years from the 16th century until 1716, when Eugeniu de Savoy recaptured the city. Legend has it that an axle of his chariot was integrated into a later majestic building (it appears in city plans in 1836). In reality it seems that the shaft belonged rather to a heavy artillery piece. Its insertion in the corner of the building has significance not only in symbolic terms; the building being one of the most famous in the city and its restoration was greeted with enthusiasm by the residents. Located on the space once occupied by the Round Tower of the bastion, used as a powder room until 1756 when it was demolished, the house already had the eastern body built in 1836-1836, the one facing Dr. I.C Brătianu Square (architect Anton Schmidt) as well as on the western one, which has two floors with a facade facing the side of Țepeș Vodă Square. In the period 1863–1864, marked by famine, local good Samaritans organized a social canteen in it. The House with the Iron Axis today has the bodies thoroughly rehabilitated, restored and transformed from homes into office spaces. New access roads, attic areas and re-compartmentalization suitable for modern use were made - office hub with mixed functions: law offices, insurance companies, marketing, dental clinics and IT companies. The classicist style, with neo-Romanesque elements, gives distinction to the building even today. Class B historical monument, prestigious for its age, story, address and restoration. The house with an iron shaft is 80% rented, which positions it as an excellent investment opportunity.

Ineu is no longer the desolate land of pig farmers and luckly mills that Ioan Slavici wrote about in 1881. Just as it did back then, it knows how to keep up with the times and offer what is needed. The Sava Brancovici Manor stands proud and solid in this small town, always a waypoint for travelers coming from or heading to the east or west. In Michelin Guide terms, if it’s not a destination in itself, this manor is certainly a place worth a detour. Its restoration, carried out with care and good taste, preserves the facades in pastel colors like a baroque pistachio or mint cake, skillfully drizzled with white icing in carefully chosen patterns. The interior maintains stylistic unity, offering ten welcoming rooms featuring traditional elements such as brick, charred wood, traditional washtubs and lanterns, along with painted furniture and floral fabrics. Lively flowers captured in tapestries and on cream or green cupboards bring warmth and capture the light. A spacious restaurant, a 50-seat pizzeria, and a heated terrace with 120 seats provide the necessities, while the parking area includes free charging stations for electric cars. The manor is named after Saint Sava Brancovici, canonized by the Romanian Orthodox Church in 1955 for being religiously persecuted by the Prince of Transylvania, Michael Apafi I. The Serbian-origin Orthodox priest, a resident of Ineu, opposed Calvinist proselytism and served as the Metropolitan of Transylvania from 1656 to 1680. For these reasons, he is considered a guardian of the town and the Orthodox faith. Ineu, located 57 kilometers from Arad and about 100 kilometers from Timișoara, has a population of 8,000. It is situated on the national road leading to the border and is a point of interest for tourists attracted by the generous offerings of Zarand Country – the Ineu Castle, the Narcissus Meadow, and the wineries in the Miniș vineyard.

For passers-by, whether villagers or visitors, this is a proud household, beautifully renovated and respectful of the past and tradition - with a shingled roof, a porch made of intricately carved burned wood, and a fence, like all Maramures fences, protected from rain and bad weather; moreover, a formidable oven is ready to bake bread and pies in a well-equipped gazebo.For those who will inhabit it, the property elegantly blends tradition with the new; warm wood completely covers the attic on the walls, floor, and ceiling, making way for a minimalism that reaches its peak in the bathroom, where the tub overlooks the road that separates the greenery in two. The living room on the ground floor, however, retains the colours of childhood at grandma's - with walls painted with a roller and border with small and cheerful flowers; the benches and the green buffet, as generous as grandma's arms, blend well with the fireplace placed in the corner. The atmosphere is rich in contrast with the minimalism of the upper floor, but both are soothing, nurturing. From the hallway of the house, you enter two apartments, each having a room on the ground floor and one on the upper floor, a bathroom, and a small space, a niche for playing/reading. On the ground floor, there is a shared bathroom, and in the basement, there is a cellar. The attic has been raised by 50 cm to accommodate the rooms. The Velux windows are large to ensure natural light, and the small balcony is sufficient to allow for terrace furniture.A second gazebo is arranged along the property line; nearby are the wooden tub and an old stable, with the roof rebuilt over the three rooms in which traditional old objects are currently exhibited. There are three parking spaces on the property, but two more cars can be parked nearby. The property is connected to electricity, has a 5kw photovoltaic system installed, water is taken from the public network and from its own wells, one traditional and one utility, and there is a septic tank in the courtyard. ,photo Florin Pepene

In order for the Hat Factory of South Hungary S.A. to come into existence, it required private capital and support from the state and the city of Timișoara, where it operated on the banks of the Bega River. Archives attest that in 1899 the municipality granted, free of charge, to Phillipp Lustein and Wilhelm Keller a plot of land measuring 2 'cadastral acres' near the then-road viaduct and the current central park. The factory was exempt from paying municipal taxes for a decade but committed to providing annual subsidies for each employee. Built in 1899-1900, the building structures bear the signature of the architect Ede Reiter, who was a neighbor to the property. The Hat Factory produced felt and wool hats, felt, and rabbit fur hats, with about 500 employees, two-thirds of whom were women, all assisted by steam-powered machines. Not only were the hats produced modern, but also the facilities provided to the workers – a bath, a dining hall, and relaxation spaces. After the union with Romania, the factory was named the Timișoara Hat Factor y , and then came the communist nationalization. Between 1991-1995, it was privatized through the MEBO method and known as PALTIM SA. After a period of intense cultural activity, the factory's land is now undergoing a modern urban development project with residential and office spaces. The former administrative building, currently a historical monument, is part of this complex built to the highest standards, bringing stories, history, and pedigree to its owner and future generations. Additionally, thanks to architect Ede Reiter, the property presents itself elegantly in the style that was fashionable at the time, Secession. The recent impeccable architectural and structural renovation highlights the beauty of this style and how it has remained relevant and attractive to this day. The ground floor is suitable for a restaurant – perhaps one that showcases the rich and flavorful gastronomy of the city, while the upper floor and attic are spacious and bright spaces, optimal for office activities, private residence, or even a spa. Located on the banks of the Bega River, with boats peacefully floating on the water and a promenade nearby, the property will undoubtedly become a landmark in the city.

Captured in a photograph with the sun behind it, illuminating and hiding it from view at the same time, the Nagy mansion seems to have the power to transport its guest back to the 19th century, just as Gil, played by Owen Wilson, returned to the 1920s in the film Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen in 2011. The idea of traveling back in time is often used in the description of properties and therefore subject to demonetization; in the case of the Nagy mansion, it stands in certain rooms where the past comes to life through a special stove, through pieces of solid wood furniture carefully crafted and polished by time such as the two sumptuous original Saxon beds. The mansion, built in 1802 by the Hungarian noble family Nagy, today completely renovated and brought up to modern living standards, preserves original architectural details, despite its troubled history - in 1992, when the property was reacquired, it no longer had doors or windows; after the nationalization in 1949 it was used by the local IAS including to house day laborers. The story goes that Szotyori Nagy Tamásné, mistress of the manor in the middle of the 19th century, was a fearless woman who not only went to the front to look for her hero son, but offered shelter to the persecuted and, after the revolution was crushed, sent parcels to those incarcerated. In 1884, during the election campaign, in the building that later became a granary, the owner of the place hosted the well-known writer Jókai Mór. Today, the entrance through the wide gate shows a circle of flowers whose role, in addition to the decorative one, is to guide today's horse-drawn carriages to the entrance of the building. With a decent exterior and a small portico the mansion consists of a spacious ground floor and a generous attic dominated by the protective red roof over them; the two windows placed above the entrance, on the left and right are known as the queen's eyes, belonging to the most desirable room in the building. The mansion functions today as a guesthouse and has 3 rooms with matrimonial beds and 4 double rooms, all with their own bathroom. The dining room can accommodate 70 people and the old cellar is now a wine cellar, keeping visible both parts of the original foundation wall and the old roof tiles reused as flooring. The sauna, the salt room and other ways to spend quality time complete the generous offer of the outside – walks through the silence of wheat fields and potato crops or visiting the Balvanyos baths, the Cheile Varghisului nature reserve, the birch forest in Reci, the Kalnoky castle and the Zabola domain (Covasna being also known as the Land of Manors). The town of Coșeni is 13km from Prejmer, 19km from Harman and 28km from the center of Brașov. photo Florin Pepene

Live amidst the architectural splendour of this meticulously preserved manor, embracing a lifestyle that seamlessly merges past and present.In the heart of the picturesque Transylvanian landscape, where tales of folklore intertwine with the echoes of history, Luxury Heritage in the Land of Legends stands as a testament to the enchanting allure of the region. Nestled at the very base of the iconic Rosenau Citadel, our haven beckons you to explore the rich tapestry of attractions that surround it. This exclusive property unfolds as a captivating ensemble of three meticulously restored Saxon houses, each transformed into a sanctuary of luxury accommodation. Tailored to accommodate a large family and/or group of friends, the property includes generous spaces for group gatherings and serene relaxation areas. It weaves together the rich tapestry of traditions and the graceful patina of time with contemporary elements, offering a haven of refined comfort. The kitchen is designed and equipped to support all sorts of events, from more intimate and private to larger and formal ones. The trio of houses, dating back to the 18th century, stands as architectural treasures, each with its unique character and charm. The Barn House is a space of charm and sophistication. The welcoming area is enveloped in an warmth of cozy atmosphere and hospitality, where every detail is designed to make the stay memorable. The lounge area serves as a retreat for relaxation and contemplation, inviting to savour the ambiance and leave the cares of the world behind. The breakfast salon where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is blending with the scent of the gourmet delicacies is adjoined by the kitchen where culinary artistry meets functionality. Upstairs, the Barn House includes four two-stories suites, each being a sanctuary of comfort and style. The private retreat exudes elegance and every detail is curated to enhance the senses of well-being. In the Artisan's House, the space that is inspiring and inviting to creativity includes a ground floor apartment, a double room at the attic, as well as a generously space dedicated to a larger apartment that consists in a living room, kitchen, cellar, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Also, the building includes a sauna and a relaxing area. The Painter’s House is a wonderful blend of historic traces and luxury comfort. The ground floor is dedicated to an elegant and spacious dining area adjoined by a sophisticated bar area. Upstairs the space includes three spectacular luxury duplex suites with a distinguished level of comfort and style. Adding another layer to this historical character and dating back to 1780, the original ceilings stand as venerable guardians of bygone eras. The walls are adorned with paintings that bear witness to the artistry of the late 18th century. These carefully preserved artworks serve as visual echoes of the past, offering glimpses into the cultural and artistic currents that prevailed during the era of their creation. As residents traverse the elegant spaces, they are enveloped by an immersive experience, surrounded by the tangible history of original ceilings and paintings that have withstood the test of time, inviting to admiration and contemplation. Within the curated spaces of the estate, the Donghia Chair - Anziano by the renowned American designer John Hutton takes center stage, marrying contemporary elegance with a touch of timeless allure. Elevating the comfort quotient to the pinnacle of timeless sophistication, the estate invites residents to luxuriate in the embrace of Chesterfield sofas or to indulge in William Holland bathtubs. The Porch is a newly built modern structure which provides a contemporary relaxation area. The architectural finesse of The Porch allows a seamlessly integration of the new element into the historical ensemble.The space extends its luxury experience beyond its cover into the tranquil atmosphere of the meticulously landscaped outdoor area.

Looking towards the street, an mansion like a copy of a dream palace proudly wears its slender straight tower while waiting for its new owner. With frames that seem to hold tall and elegant windows in their arms, the façade is very inviting through the open staircase looking towards the gate to welcome those who are interested, for example, in the recently opened baths in Ocna Mureș or those who have things to do in Alba, Cluj or Mureș, all the municipalities being less than an hour away (the Cluj-Sebeș highway is 10 km away, and the Transilvania highway 25 km away, while Cluj, Târgu Mureș and Sibiu airports are also close). The 16 rooms of the mansion lend themselves to being arranged as tourist accommodation in this locality with a history of but also the future of a spa resort with salt baths. With spacious rooms, tall windows, elegant double doors and a superb beautifully restored oak parquet the interior is permissive and generous. The central common area has a beautiful original stove and the atmosphere of a ballroom awaiting its dancers. The building has solid walls of solid brick and is equipped with three-phase electricity, water, natural gas, hydrophore, gas-fired boilers, treatment plant and septic tank; the sewerage is in the process of completion. There is also a wine cellar with a brick vault, cellars and outbuildings for storage plus parking spaces on 800 m2 of paved and lit yard. Firs trees, walnuts, hazelnuts, apples, pears, cork oaks, acacias, willows, a stream at the bottom of the garden and a small fish pond provide the natural setting for relaxation, and the swimming pool and the tennis court with night lights incites the spirit of friendly competition. The mansion was built by Romulus Triteanu, who remained in the big history as the first Romanian station master after 1918 in the Feldioara railway junction, today Războieni-Cetate, and in the small history as the cousin of that Lazar Triteanu, Orthodox bishop of Romanian, whose wife, Veturia, acclaimed soloist, the only Romanian translator accepted by Hitler in the relationship with Ion Antonescu and alleged spy, later became the wife of Octavian Goga. Restored after 1998, the manor functioned as a 4-margaret guesthouse from 2008 until recently. Compartmentalization also allows use as a company headquarters, sports center, casino, cultural center, hunting lodge or private residence. Photo Florin Pepene

Lining the cobbled streets named after the furriers and lipscani of yesteryear, the inn first shows off its wide, tall, arched ground-floor windows colored by faux stained glass. However, the upper floor retains its former glory, carefully decorated with rich elements such as the arms that support the wrought iron balcony, the common border that functions as a frame for the tall and narrow windows and the denticles that keep the rhythm under the roof. Today, the interior of the inn is dedicated to corporate and private events, which it hosts in three large areas – the conference center, the reception-foyer and the event hall. The space for business or cultural events is modern, bright and impeccably arranged for today's requirements (it has a capacity of 50-300+ people and is equipped with high-speed wi-fi internet, Video Wall Display, flip charts and systems professional sound system); instead, the event hall preserves accents of the past through sumptuous chandeliers, reinterpreted capitals and boiserie pieces that encapsulate old school sophistication. Spectacular by the contrast between ultramarine chairs, glass tables and boxed mirrors, this room discreetly resumes the English motif much more present in the reception area. The hall is served by its own kitchen equipped with modern equipment. The one that preserves the charm of the old inn is the inner courtyard, through the doors that the small traders hold open like welcoming arms, eager to show their treasures. Once upon a time there were majestic linden trees that shaded the yard, the name of the property coming from them. Atanasie Hagi, Gheorghe Polizu and Ștefan Popovici are the ones who built this inn in 1833, already having shops on the land which they expanded by buying from the neighbors. They built in their place, from the ground up, and in perfect companionship the Linden Inn, or as they called the Bezesten, from the main street of Marchitani (Strada Lipscani) which can be seen marked with our brands (initials) above both gates, with all the expenses of companionship are not out of two, brothers, a penny and a penny, from the warp (beginning) to the end of the key writes Constantin Bacalbaşa in București de altadată. The good camaraderie, the initials of which can still be seen today, did not last long because in 1835 the inn was shared, each owner receiving 14 shops and two warehouses; they kept in common only the toilet and the room where the innkeeper lives. Over time, the shops will continue to change their owners and close their doors well at night to protect travelers and merchants, as the Bacalbaşa writes: the shops were on one side and the other, and between them a street, which until 1916 it was paved with river stone. (…) All the shops were placed on deep cellars with large vaults that can still be seen today, the ceilings of the shops were also made in vaults. As in other inns, the windows and doors of the shops had iron shutters which were closed at night, and on top of them were placed crossbeams bent at the ends. At the entrances of the inn, on one side and on the other, next to the building, there were some stone pillars, about a meter high and quite thick, intended to protect the walls from damage by carts with goods that entered and left the inn.

The chateau looms in the sky like a beautiful castle, with four defense towers that have only known peacetime. The building, in the German Neo-Renaissance style, was built according to the owner's well-defined plans and sketches on graph paper. The castle concept, Fachwerk wooden elements and natural stone remind of the few medieval houses left standing and invite indulgence and rest – the water channel that partially surrounds it contributes to the calm atmosphere. The wooden tracery and soft yellow make a good home on the façade and anticipate an elegant interior where the oak pieces put on a show – the carefully crafted joinery worthy of a castle, the tables, sideboards and Alktdeutsch-style chairs. The staircase between the floors is also made of wood, ennobled with a red carpet bearing the royalty motif of the lily. Rooms with personality, elegant bathrooms and stylish common spaces make this chateau a popular destination on accommodation booking networks; The chateau offers 20 accommodation units totaling 45 seats, but a reorganization of the space can result in the increase of the accommodation space from 20 units to 32. Another expansion option with 10 more apartments (between 60 and 80 sqm each) and a penthouse (120 sqm) can be done by purchasing separately, from the same owner, the other castle in the vicinity of this complex. The unit is served by an event hall with a capacity of 180 seats, a hunting restaurant with an Austro-Hungarian menu and a bar with a view of the Bavarian brewery, because in the chateau there is a beer factory with a capacity of 30,000 liters produced according to a German law regulating the purity of beer since 1516. The 400-sqm brewery space is rented from the chateau. The microbrewery is perfectly integrated into the landscape and the chateau's activity, as it does not produce noise or smell. There is also a summer garden with two lakes and a waterfall with 200 seats, as well as a salt room with Himalayan salt. Located in Moșnița Noua, on the Main Street, the hotel is much closer to Timișoara and everything the city has to offer; it is located 15 minutes from the center but also from the airport and has the advantage of being taken over as a functional business from the first day.

Located on Dinicu Golescu Boulevard, The Villa with Gorgons is one of the few buildings from the beginning of the 20th century that has been preserved on this important artery of Bucharest. The building was built in 1913 and bears the signature of Ion D. Berindey, one of the most famous and prolific Romanian architects of the first three decades of the 20th century. Among the 29 works classified as historical monuments of Ion D. Berindey are the Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino Palace (today the headquarters of the George Enescu National Museum and the Romanian Composers Union), the George G. Assan House (today the House of Scientists), Palace of the Journalists' Union (today the Very Small Theatre). The Villa with Gorgons was built as Colonel Andreescu's private residence as explained by Revista Poporului, a newspaper of the time, which emphasizes how a good architect can with a modest amount easily obtain a completely satisfactory construction from the aesthetic and comfortable point of view. From an aesthetic point of view, the building is tributary to the romantic style and has as a distinctive sign the gorgonles, sculptures that decorate the facade. Gorgons are taken from Greek culture where symbols on doors, walls, windows, floors and shields were intended to protect the ancient Greeks from evil. In terms of use, the villa is truly versatile and can be set up as a home, office space or a bohemian restaurant. Located on a land area of ​​309 square meters, with a footprint of 101 square meters, Vila cu Gorgone is a slim building, with a D+D+1E+M height regime. The spaces are generous and balanced on levels. The ground floor and first floor have three rooms each and spacious entrance halls. The rooms have wide windows and are bright. The same generous space also exists in the mezzanine, and the attic is open space and perfect for a bohemian design. The villa has two access ways: one pedestrian and another for car access. The building is strengthened and the facade is completely restored. Photo: Tudor Prisecaru, Alex Canjea.

With a green hill in the background as a theater setting, this mini-park of leisure promises and delivers well-being. On the property there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools with heated water, jacuzzi, wet & dry sauna, deckchairs that invite you to laze around in the afternoon, massage room, a synthetic football field that becomes an ice rink in winter, large and green courtyard, playground, generous terraces. A conference room equipped with video projector is ready to receive corporations for attractive team building sessions. The main building with its long sloping roof houses the spa, 10 guest rooms and the function room with a capacity of 60 people. The restaurant, with a similar capacity, occupies a separate building and the accommodation space is completed by the cabin, called Ursa perhaps in honor of the sky full of stars in this peaceful corner of the world. Built in 2016, close to the Bistrița river and the Colibița lake, the guesthouse is currently only rented in its entirety, in self-catering mode (7 double rooms with private bathroom, living & dining room, terrace, gazebo & grill). The beauty of the natural landscape inspires hiking, cycling through the woods, boating on the lake, carting or horse-drawn sleigh rides. Tourists can visit the nearby trout farm or sheepfold and, depending on the season, participate in agricultural activities in the guesthouse's garden. Extending the range of action throughout Bistrița-Năsăud county, natural reserves, lakes, churches and monasteries, caves and fortresses are popular points of attraction. photo Florin Pepene

The Cantacuzino-Ghica Castle from Deleni is one of Moldova’s most notable castles. The first building of the present-day architectural ensemble was the church erected in 1669, near a boyar’s court, probably the oldest in the principality. After Maria Cantacuzino’s marriage with Constantin Ghica in 1778, the estate entered the possession of the Ghica-Deleni family. The Refurbishment works the new owners commissioned gave the ensemble its current configuration. The inner stone wall and restoration and expansion works were carried out until 1802, and, afterwards, at the beginning of the 20th century, the castle was redesigned by architect Nicolae Ghika-Budesti. The castle has large and bright spaces – rooms, lounges, lobbies – spread across the ground floor, first floor and basement. During the Second World War, for two years, the castle served as a garrison for Soviet troops. Following the nationalization process, the building hosted the cultural house of Deleni. It then became a preventive medical unit, which has not changed to this day.

The castle was built during the 17th century by Gyulay Ferencz, an Austrian general, the only child of Hungarian nobleman Gyulay Ignacz. Ferencz built the mansion on the site of a smaller building. The general’s family ruled the town called Mintia, that was renamed Marosnemeti, a term derived from the Hungarian word nemet, that translates to German. Several descendants of the Gyulay family lived at the castle. Historical documents from 1806 state that the Mintia mansion was owned at that time by Gyulay Istvan, followed by Albert and K.R Gyulay. Countess Gyulay of Mintia, who married Ladislau Kuun of Osdola, later inherited the domain together with her brother, Ludovic. In 1848, the Gyulay family took refuge at Cluj and, after the revolution, Ludovic, Ladislau Kuun, his wife Constance, and their children, Irene and Geza, returned to Mintia. Ludovic was the last heir of the Gyulay family. He wrote over 100 journals about the mansion and about Mintia. All of them are preserved at the Cluj-Napoca history museum. Ludovic Gyulay modified the building in 1834, giving it the shape it has today. Ludovic Gyulay never got married and, therefore, never had any heirs. His fortune was inherited by his brother-in-law, Ladislau Kuun, followed by his son, Geza Kuun. Geza studied Hungarian and German literature at the Universities of Budapest and Gottingen, and was a member and vice president of the Budapest Academy of Sciences. He was part of Vienna’s elite social circles, and became friends with the famous composer Franz Liszt – one of the most prominent pianists of all time. It was then that he also met writer Elena Ghica – daughter of Mihai Ghica, niece of Grigore Ghica the 4th, and the first woman to have climbed the Mont Blanc peak, on June 1st 1860. After 1870, Geza Kunn settled at Mintia and married Vilma Kemeny, the daughter of baron Kemeny of Magyar-Gyeno Monosto. His presence here transformed the town into a gathering place for eminent representatives of the cultural and scientific scenes, which included V. Zakrzewski – professor at the Cracovia University, Al. Szilagyi – secretary of the Historical Society, baron Balazs Orban, A. Szecsen –Imperial Court marchal. The beauty of the mansion located on the bank of Mureș River was also admired by the president of the Archeological Society – Solyon Fekete, the director of the Deva History Museum – Teglas Gabor, and by scientist Samuel Brassay – regarded as Transylvania’s last polymath. The immense library of the Mintia Castle and the salon, decorated with family portraits and precious objects, were visited by prefect George Pogany, subprefect Coloman Barcsay, count Coloman Esterhazy – director of the Transylvania Museum, by Otto von Keller – professor at the University of Prague, Zsolt Beothy – professor at the Budapest University, and by Norwegian scientist Conrad Nielsen. Baron Miklos Josika also traveled from Brănişca to Mintia, either on foot, by car, or on horseback. He also traveled by boat on Mureş River in order to admire the park that surrounded the castle. The rare species of plants and trees that embellished the park were mesmerizing. Count Kuun named the trees after the most important Hungarian writers, many of whom had been his friends. One of the trees, for example, bore the name of Attila, in the memory of Attila Gerando. Amid the rose bushes, the visitor could also discover numerous honorary or mortuary shrines. Geza Kuun died in 1905, on April 10th, and was entombed at Cluj. Legend has it that, although the body of count Geza was inhumed at Cluj, his heart was buried in the cemetery of the Mintia Reformed Church, alongside other members of his family and former owners of the castle. The Mintia domain, that comprises the castle and the park, is classed as a historical monument of national and universal importance, class A.

The French Street connects Piata Unirii with Calea Victoriei; it appears in documents since 1649 when it was known as Curții Street; over time the name varies - one part of it was Podul cel Mare din Curtea Veche (1763), Podul Curtea Veche (1804) and Uliţa Curții Vechi (1854), the other - Uliţa cea Domnească in 1690 or Işlicarilor & Boiangiilor Street in 1804. Under Constantin Brâncoveanu the street becomes as long as we know it today. The French name comes from the time when the French consul resided on it. The street was also called Carol until 1947 and then 30th December. After the 1989 revolution, it became Iuliu Maniu and since 2007, when a boulevard was named after the politician, it has become French Street again. It is one of the first lit and paved streets in the city, but also the one that entered history as the place where the great fire of 1847 started, when over 2000 buildings disappeared; the fire broke out thanks to the son of a stolnic (local clerk) who played by shooting his father's gun into the thatched attic. On this historic street, at no. 58, in 1938, Schrems Broderie, a weaver, and Karmann I – Carol, a dentist, were operating (it seems that Lev Tolstoi lived at no. 12 in 1854 when accompanying the Russian troops to Wallachia). Today, at no. 58, there is an elegant building with tall glass sheets and wrought iron balustrades that rhythmically punctuate the facade; denticles, short half-columns and other vegetal and geometric elements complete it. The building has two commercial spaces on the ground floor and 14 apartments on the upper floors, with areas between 38-113 sqm. The attic (384 sqm) and the cellar (211 sqm) generously complement the surfaces. Access is allowed by four different stairs leading to the inner courtyard. Only one apartment is currently rented, the building being in need of repair and renovation works. The original corner stoves, paneling on the ceilings and double doors with glass windows are the only ones still fighting the fading today, stubbornly preserving the spirit of past eras. However, the potential is huge considering the positioning one minute away from the Manuc Inn; the building can become a boutique/apart-hotel or apartments for rent/resale, after consolidation. Photo: Tudor Prisecaru

Alexandrescu Manor from Guranda has a history of more than one century, being built at the order of the spouses Mihai and Mathilde Alexandrescu, Mihai being a Wallach boyar who settled down in Moldova at the end of the 19th century, around 1890. Situated at approximately 40 km from Botoșani, the property of the family Alexandrescu was about to become not only residence, but also a source of income, the domain being extended with hundreds of hectares. The main building was buttoned up in 1905, the project being signed by a Venetian architect. The estate borrows obviously from the typical architecture of those times, Neo-Romanian style, the Neo-Romanian style being the most dashing at the turn of the centuries. Notwithstanding, the estate is marked by different decorative effects that offer a special aspect, monumentally – the use of the brick in the decoration of the borders or of the wooden frames in the tracing of small balconies. The heiress of the manor was the only daughter of the Alexandrescu spouses, Yvonne (1890-1974), who had to enter in the big Cantacuzino family, getting married with Ion Cantacuzino (1888-1954), with whom she had a daughter, Claudina (born 1914). After the dispossessions from the year 1948, the manor enters in the property of the communist state, which, since 1949, has set up in the manor from Guranda a hospital unit. In the 2000s, the mansion is taken into family ownership, by his heirs.

The historic streets in the center of the capital were also targeted in the modernization process of Bucharest in the interwar period, areas that, at that time, were opening up to the new economic and commercial domains. The urban block-villas would meet the required functionality needs- the building that can be found on 24-26 Polona Street, built in 1927-1928, is one of such type. The modern building, individually compartmentalized on each floor, has undergone a restoration, rehabilitation and reconversion process, becoming an ultramodern and multifunctional construction.

The house at 9 Verde Street (today Gheorghe Manu street) was built between 1911 and 1923, initiated by Tațiana Niculescu-Dorobanțu. One of the four daughters of Ion C. Brătianu, Tațiana (1870-1940) married in 1900 Ilie I. Niculescu-Dorobanțu (1873-1943), liberal political figure and prefect of Ilfov. Through their properties will also feature the Darvari manor, close to Bucharest. The plans designed by architect Grigore Cerchez (Cerkez) specified „a building with 2, 3 and 4 levels, massive walls, covered with tiles”, occupying 668,29 square meters. In a letter from 9th of May 1910 addressed to her sister Măriuţa Pillat, then in Paris, Tațiana confessed: „I believe we will have a truly beautiful mansion, Louis XII style, with carved stone and exposed brique”. On 25 September 1913, Taţiana was in France, writing to Sabina Cantacuzino: „The castles on Loire I am not even mentioning, I am amazed by so much beauty and very proud to realize that, without possible comparation to these, my house is very beautiful. Unfortunately, the narrow street makes the palace look crammed.” To furnish the interior, Tațiana chose Romanian traditional art objects and pieces from Antique shops in Paris and Munich. From Spain she brought furniture and tapestries. She wanted everything to be perfect and told her close friends: „I will show you this room only when it is completely furnished.” The imposing building bears the allure of a Gothic cathedral, with exquisite constructive and decorative elements: the exposed brick façade, in several shades of red, the towers’ silhouettes, the entrance portal, the imposing windows, with carved stone elements in Neo-gothic fashion, the cornices, gargoyles, stained glass windows and pointed arches that mark the exterior and interior. In his will, Ilie I. Niculescu-Dorobanțu donated the building to the Ion C. Brătianu Establishment, provided that it became the museum „Ilie, Tațiana and Ion Niculescu-Dorobanțu”. Between 1948-1957, the house hosted the canteen of the employees of the Minister of Industry. In 1956, following the pressures of the Direction of Historic Monuments, that considered the building „one of the most valuable in the Capital from an architectural point of view”, it was classified as part of the heritage of the Ministry of Culture and Education, undergoing consolidation works. Starting 1958, it hosted the Technical school of choreography, with 300 students. Today, more than one century after its construction, the impressive Gothic Revival residence maintains its mysterious allure, fascinating the passers-by with its imposing dimensions and unique construction details, crafted by one of the most important Romanian architects. Sources: Simina Stan, „Reședința Ilie I. Niculescu-Dorobanțu, monument istoric”, în Revista Arhitectura, iulie 2015 Narcis Dorin Ion, ”Memoria unui oraș – București”, ed. Institutul Cultural Român, București, 2012

Created in eclectic fashion with strong neoclassical features, this house was built during the late 19th century, with a commercial destination, according to the nature of the area. The particular style of buildings with dual use – commercial premises on the ground floor and residence upstairs – was brought by Jews, once they settled in Lipscani, the commercial neighbourhood of Bucharest. The building is distinguished by its neoclassical elements: cornice, pillars, triangular frontons and window frames. Before its nationalisation in the communist regime, the property belonged to Nicolae Dinischiotu, vice-minister of National Economy during the reign of King Michael I, the last King of Romania. The building has 3 sides with commercial premises on the ground floor: one on I.C. Brătianu boulevard, the other on Sfânta Vineri street and the third one on Elias Jacques street. The latter bears the name of one of the richest Romanians: the industrialist, banker and landlord Jacques Manachem Elias was born in 1844 in Bucharest, in a Jewish family. A great philanthropist, he bequeathed his whole fortune to the Romanian Academy. He was adviser to King Carol I of Romania. The building has 60 rooms, a courtyard of 60 sqm and a 175 sqm land on the side of I.C. Brătianu boulevard. The property belongs to the architectural assembly „Elias Jacques Street”, listed in the National Register of Historic Monuments 2010, Bucharest. Between 1990-1992, the house was consolidated and renovated, preserving the original architecture. The generous surface and the downtown location create a real potential for any commercial or touristic business. Sources: adevarul.ro Merg in Cartierul Evreiesc, Florin Leonard Slovineanu Photo: Gabriel Ghizdavu

The town of Şomcuta Mare is located in the south-western part of Maramureș County, connected to the European road E58, Baia Mare - Cluj Napoca, at a distance of 25 km from Baia Mare. The popular tradition says that the name of Șomcuta Mare springs from the cornel shrubs that were found in abundance in these places, that once gave the name of the forest near Văleni village – Corneasa. Regarding this forest, it is said that it stretched over the borders of Şomcuta Mare and that, in the middle of it, there used to be a fountain, around which the community developed. From the first history records, it is shown that Șomcuta Mare had a predominantly Romanian population. This is proven by all the evidence that has been preserved in this regard about the Chioar Domain – where Șomcuta Mare was a part of. One of the historical monuments in Șomcuta Mare, this imposing building was built by the Austro-Hungarian State, between 1880 and 1890, to function as the Chiorean Commercial Bank, the first bank in the area. Currently, the building is connected to all utilities and services: gas, electricity, water supply and drainage. A few years ago, more precisely in 2003, the building had its roof and windows replaced, thus carrying out an important renovation process. Arranged on the following floor system: lower ground + ground floor + first floor + attic, this building provides that investment that you have always been looking for: its positioning and layout represent potential for various developments. It can bring many further exciting opportunities, starting from the industrial production ones to commercial ones. The building can function efficiently as a hotel, restaurant, kindergarten, school or nursing home. It accommodates 37 rooms and 5 bathrooms, with a pragmatic planning. Photo: Florin Pepene