Turnul Chindia, Targoviste, Bezoekersgids & wat te doen in de buurt

Chindia Tower (Turnul Chindiei) is a tall stone watchtower on Calea Domnească in Târgoviște, Romania, and the best-known symbol of the city. It stands in the grounds of the former Princely Court, the seat of the rulers of Wallachia when Târgoviște was their capital, and it gives a strong sense of how important this town once was.

The story behind it

Târgoviște served as a princely capital of Wallachia for several centuries, and the Princely Court was the heart of that power. Rulers such as Vlad the Impaler and Michael the Brave are linked with the town, and the tower rose as part of the court's defences and surveillance. It dates from the 15th century and has been repaired and altered several times since.

The tower's job was to watch over the court and the surrounding plain, and to be seen as a sign of princely authority. Over time it became the emblem of Târgoviște and an anchor for the open-air museum that now surrounds it.

What to look for

• The sheer height of the round tower, which rises well above the ruined walls and halls of the court around it.
• The thick masonry at the base, which shows how a structure built for lookout and defence was meant to last.
• The remains of the Princely Court nearby, including foundations and walls that let you picture the layout of the old residence.
• The view over the town's rooftops and the surrounding plain, if you can go up, which explains why this spot was chosen as a lookout.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about an hour for the tower and the Princely Court grounds, and longer if you want to go through the museum exhibits.
• Check current opening hours before you go, as access to the tower and the museum can vary by season.
• Late afternoon is a pleasant time to visit, when the light is softer on the stone and the crowds are usually thinner.
• The tower sits in the old centre, so you can easily combine it with a walk through the rest of Târgoviște on foot.

Explore it on a quest

The best way to see Chindia Tower is as one stop on a longer walk through the town, not as an isolated photo. Questo's self-guided quests are played on your phone: the app leads you from place to place, tells you about each one as you arrive, and sets a puzzle in what is in front of you. You can start any time, with no guide and no group to join. Discover the area with the quests in Targoviste.