Manuc Mirzaian is one of the most interesting and controversial characters of Romanian history. Born in 1769 in Rusciuk (today in Bulgaria), he found his way with the Turkish officials, receiving the Moldovian throne in 1808.
The important inheritance that he received after the death of his father helped him greatly. He bought some land near the Old Princiary Court, which was auctioned at the beginning of the 19th century, and built an inn between 1806 and 1808. The inn was built on three levels, including 15 vaulted cellars, several shops, deposits, dormitories for servants, kitchens, and dormitories and office rooms. The inner court housed a cafe.
After his protector, the great vizier, fell into disgrace and was murdered, Manuc left for Vallahia and went on the Russian side. After 1810, Manuc made himself useful to both sides, both Turkish and Russian.
Invited to Constantinople and not honouring the invitation, Manuc leaves Vallachia, and in 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 20, 1817.
After Manuc’s death, his inn in Bucharest has different roles. Thus, in 1861 it becomes a hotel, and in 1916 and around World War I it serves as meeting place of all political parties, while nowadays travellers see it restored to its initial functioning as a hotel with a restaurant and a wine cellar.
It's nice to have a coffee break here, but service needs improvement. Just go on and take a look!