In the peaceful town of Targovişte, 50 miles north of Bucharest, we visited the Museum of Communism, formerly a military garrison. This is where Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, spent their last days. Ceausescu was president of Romania from 1974 until his execution in 1989 and leader of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965. The monument in front of the Museum (first image) is that of Dan Al II cel Viteaz, a five-time Voivode (governor) of Wallachia. His reign ended in 1432 after he was defeated by the Ottomans. He was succeeded by the son of Mircea cel Bătrin, grandfather of Vlad Tepes the Impaler (also Vlad Dracul III) whose life may have been an inspiration for the stories about the blood thirsty Dracula. The Voivodes of Wallachia took up residence in the princely court of Targovişte, the reason I was in the vicinity. Please read my post about the life and times of Vlad Tepes here: https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2023/12/the-curious-life-and-times-of-vlad.html On...
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” - James Michener