History of Targoviste

The Ottoman invasion of 1462 did not reach the city, being prevented by Vlad III through the The Night Attack. However, in 1476, the city was conquered by Stephen Báthory. Several other battles were fought near the city during the rules of Neagoe Basarab and Radu of Afumați.

In 1597, the Hajduks of Mihai Viteazul and Starina Novak fought and won a decisive battle against the Ottoman Empire in Târgoviște.

Decline

After the capital was finally moved to Bucharest during the rule of Constantin Brâncoveanu (1688-1714), Târgoviște lost its importance, decaying economically as its population decreased.

Modern history

Târgoviște was the site of the trial and execution of Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena in December 1989