The route of the cules takes us on a fascinating journey through the history of the Wallachian boyars, where the tranquility of rural life intertwined with the constant threat of invasions. We return to the 17th and 18th centuries, when these impressive buildings, on the border between home and fortress, became true symbols of resistance.
From the thick stone walls that sheltered the boyar families in times of peace, to the ramparts that turned into shooting holes in the face of attackers, each cule tells a unique story. Here we discover not only the architectural ingenuity of the era, but also the lifestyle of the nobility of the past, marked by pomp, but also by the eternal fear of invaders and wars.
Many of the cules have withstood the centuries and today offer us a window into a lesser-known past, in which boyar alliances, betrayals and revolutions unfolded between these austere walls. We invite you to explore 5 of the most interesting stories of these unique fortifications, witnesses to the history and fearless spirit of the Romanian boyars.
1️⃣ Did you know that during the 1821 Revolution, the Oltenia monasteries served as a place of refuge and secret meetings for revolutionaries?
The Cartianu family has an interesting history, which is intertwined with the history of the house. They were involved in historical times of revolt, making their house available for those secret meetings between Tudor Vladimirescu, the Pandurs and supporters of the 1821 revolution.
Due to the connections they had among influential people of the time, important people crossed its threshold, such as King Carol II, the liberal prime minister Gheorghe Tătărăscu, the writer Barbu Ştefănescu-Delavrancea.
Every summer, the house was filled with relatives and friends who were warmly welcomed. Maria Lătărețu herself, also called the “nightingale of Gorj”, was a prominent guest at the parties at the Cartianu House.
2️⃣ Did you know that boyar residences were used both as a means of escape in case of danger and as a place of celebration for prominent rulers?
Cula Glogovenilor is a fortified dwelling with two secret exits, underground escape galleries, and prominent personalities have crossed its threshold. From Michael the Brave to Tudor Vladimirescu or Basarab the Younger, their deeds of bravery are sacredly preserved in Romanian legends.
Legends speak of how the building is equipped with a secret refuge. Here there would have been a staircase hidden behind a double wall, which led down to the cellar, where there was an underground gallery from which the evacuation tunnels started in case of danger. Of these, one led to the Motru River and was allegedly used by Basarab the Young, ruler of Wallachia who sided with the Turks, to escape from those who wanted to kill him, but was nevertheless caught at the exit of the tunnel.
It is also said that Michael the Brave celebrated in Glogova the moment he became the Ban of Craiova, or that Tudor Vladimirescu spent part of his youth in this cula.
3️⃣ Did you know that the home of the leader of the 1821 uprising was used to store the weapons of the revolution, and then ended up being pawned due to lack of funds?
The Cula of Tudor Vladimirescu kept within the walls of this cula not only the weapons of the revolution, but also the dreams of a better country. Here, under the clear sky of Oltenia, hope was born and history was written.
Around 1800, Tudor Vladimirescu bought an estate on the Gârdan hill where he built the cula. The building served as a defense and storage facility, with Tudor Vladimirescu keeping some of the weapons he received from the Russians or bought from the Austrians and used in the 1821 revolution here. Due to the expenses incurred, Tudor was forced to pawn the cula to financially support the revolutionary movement.
Later, Ion Gărdăreanu, his friend, bought the property in 1838. He renovated it and also built the 67-meter-deep well in the cula's courtyard.
Find out more about the Tudor Vladimirescu Kula here.
4️⃣ Did you know that one of these fortified residences of Oltenia was lost along with half of the estate in a card game, right on the eve of Christmas?
The history of the Zătreni commune, as its name suggests, is closely linked to that of the Zătreni boyars, a powerful boyar family from Vâlcea, who gave Wallachia and its voivodes several high-ranking officials.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the nobleman Preda Zătreanu owned the estate between Bălceşti and Pârâieni. After his death, the estate was divided between the heirs and in 1754, his brother, Radu Zătreanu, laid the foundation stone of the cula, a fortified feudal dwelling.
The problems began when Iancu Zătreanu, a descendant of the Zătreanu family, fell into a passion for alcohol, parties and card games. He lost his house and half of the estate on a winter evening, before Christmas, in 1810.
5️⃣ Do you know which great personality stopped at Cula Mina, and not only during troubled times, but for household activities?
Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu stopped here, in the area, to harvest the vineyards of Valea Mare, on his way from the princely court in Târgoviște to that in Bucharest.
The manor was owned by the Brâncoveanu family for a period and administered by the Brâncovenești Settlements starting with the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, monks lived in the manor. Later, it was taken over by Constantin Orghidan and his descendants until 1952, when it was nationalized.
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