Manuc’s Inn

Manuc Mirzaian is one of the most interesting and controversial characters of Romanian history. Born in 1769 in Rusciuk (today in Bulgaria), he finds his way with the Turkish officials, receiving 1808 the Moldovian throne, which was at the time under Turkish suzeranity.

The important inheritance that he received after the death of his father, helped him greately. He bought some land near the Old Princiary Court, which was auctioned at the beginning of the 19th century and built here an inn between 1806 and 1808. The inn was built on three levels, including thus 15 vaulted cellars, several shops, deposits, dormitories for servants, kitchens and dormitories and office rooms. The inner court housed a caffe.

After his protector, the great vizier, falls into disgrace and is murdered, Manuc leaves for Vallahia, and goes on the Russian side. Russians, who were fighting the Turks on the future Romanian territories (1806-1812). After 1810, Manuc makes himself useuful to both sides, both Turkish and Russian. No wonder, that the two parts treat in his inn, in Bucharest.

Invited to Constantinople and not honouring the invitation, Manuc leaves Vallachia too and 1814 he reappears as a State Counsellor in Russia. As such, he is being approved of making a new commercial town in Bessarabia (today’s Republic of Moldova), buying in this sense a piece of land at Hancesti. The project soon comes to an end, without anything being done, as a result of his mysterious death on June 20th 1817.

After Manuc’s death, his inn in Bucharest has different roles, thus 1861 it becomes a hotel, 1916 and around World War I it serves as meeting place of all political parties, while nowadays, travellers see it restaured to its initial outlook and functioning as a hotel with a restaurant and a wine cellar.

Nice to have a coffe and a break here, but service needs improvement. Just go on and take a look!