Știrbei Palace in Buftea

A Symbol of Elegance and History at the Gates of Bucharest

Știrbei Palace in Buftea, built starting in 1850 by Prince Barbu Dimitrie Știrbei, stands as one of the most refined noble residences in Wallachia. Located at 36 Știrbei Vodă Street in the heart of Buftea, the edifice blends architectural splendor with a tumultuous history, bearing witness to decisive moments in modern Romania.

Royal-Inspired Architecture and Decorations

The palace’s Tudor style impresses with its elaborate details, constructed from red brick, rosewood and oak, Carrara marble, and wrought iron. The interior features sumptuous bedrooms, including a secret door hidden behind a large painting, used by Prince Știrbei to discreetly communicate with Queen Marie. The reading room and billiards room, along with the household annexes, complete the opulent atmosphere, where candle chandeliers from Turkey cast a warm glow. The adjacent chapel, with its altar and crypt, preserves fragments of the painting "The Virgin Mary with Jesus in Her Arms," signed by Gheorghe Tattarescu, and houses the tombs of Prince Barbu Dimitrie Știrbei and his relatives.

A Tumultuous History and Fate

The palace was the scene of a crucial event: in March 1918, the Preliminary Peace Treaty, also known as the "hateful peace," was signed here, marking a turbulent period for Romania. After the Știrbei family was expelled, the building served as the residence of the Council of Ministers and later as a vacation home for the Ceaușescu family. Although Nicu Ceaușescu used the palace, other family members avoided visiting it due to superstitions about the wood being infested with a dangerous fungus.

The English-style park surrounding the palace, declared a natural reserve, enhances the charm of the place with an interior lake and lush vegetation. Since 1989, the ensemble has been managed by RA-APPS and is open to the public, offering visitors a journey into the history and aristocratic elegance of the 19th century.