Mogosoaia Palace is a royal residence situated in Mogosoaia village from Ilfov county at 15 km NV of Bucharest.
Summer Schedule (01.03.2014 - 01.11.2014)
Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00 AM – 06.00 PM
Monday: closed
Winter Schedule (01.11.2014 - 28.02.2015)
Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00 AM – 05.00 PM
Monday: closed
* opening hours may vary, they are just for guidance
Adults/Seniors/Students: 5 RON
Parking tax: 4 RON
Guide tax (English and French): 8 RON (Saturday and Sunday only)
In first Wednesday of each month the entry is free.
* visiting taxes may vary, they are just for guidance
In 1680, Constantin Brancoveanu inherits a valuable fortune which allowed him to buy many estates in Mogosoaia village. In 1688, he builded the brick church where until today there are two imposant family portrets: one with Constantin Brancoveanu and his four sons and another one with his wife, Maria Brancoveanu, and his seven daughters. Since 1941, here is burried the last owner of the palace, George Valentin Bibescu, who with several years before his death he renovated and embellished the church. The big earthquake from 1977 caused it a lot of serious damages.
A month after the consecration of the church, Constantin Brancoveanu became Prince of Wallachia. His new position motivated him to start the construction of his royal residence on the Mogosoaia lake’s shore. In 1702, the construction of the palace was finished and here were organized the most sumptuous and abundant parties from the country.
But this lifestyle was brutally interrupted in April 1714 when the Sultan Ahmed III deposed the royal family to Constantinopol and decapitated the sons in front of the father and in the end he killed Constantin Brancoveanu as well.
After this tragic event, the whole royal fortune was confiscated and all the assets (fine furniture, expensive carpets, rare books, silverware) were scattered and stolen by the villagers. In this context, the palace was transformed in Mogosoaia inn for travellers.
In XIX century, after the entrance of domain into possession of Bibescu family, the fame of Mogosoaia Palace revived, Martha Bibescu having the most important contribution to this. Her husband gave her the palace as a gift for fulfilling her. She dedicated all her energy and time for transforming this residence into the famous one as it once was. She hired Italian experts led by a great Venetian architect and she made many visits to Venice for decorating inspiration and buying materials. She brought in Romania whitewashed walls style without decorative objects, large free spaces, black windows and sills, large dishes filled with flowers placed on the floor, low and comfortable chairs and tables.
The First World War interrupted restoration works for Mogosoaia Palace and caused it a total distruction in November 1916 when German aircraft bombed the palace. After this tragic episode, the residence was restorated again but before the Second World War it was searched and rubbed. In 1945, it became historical monument and in 1957 was transformed in Brancovan Art Museum.
Today it is visited by many tourist having the reputation of the finest and the best preserved Brancovan Palace.
