The Ştirbey Estate is reborn as a contemporary space dedicated to events, culture, relaxation, and hospitality. Restored and reimagined for the present, the estate blends historical heritage and modern functionality, offering a complete setting for memorable experiences.

Elegance and Heritage

With over 160 years of history, 24 hectares of parkland featuring centuries-old trees, a lake, and historic heritage monuments, the Știrbey Estate is a unique aristocratic legacy in Romania.

The estate’s story begins in 1845, when the Buftea-Flămânzeni estate came into the possession of the Știrbey family.

In 1850, Prince Barbu Dimitrie Știrbey, brother of Gheorghe Bibescu, ruler of Wallachia, began the construction of the palace. The palace’s current form, an architectural gem, was finalized in 1864 by Prince Alexandru Știrbey, reinforcing the estate’s noble and elegant character.

Prince Alexandru Știrbey:
vision, transformation,
and rewriting the future

On November 4, 1872, Prince Barbu Alexandru Știrbey was born, as the grandson of the ruler Barbu Alexandru Știrbey.

The prince was a true visionary in the fields of agriculture, industry, and beyond. As administrator of the Royal Crown Estates from 1913, he introduced significant innovations, including the cultivation of cotton and rice in Romania, as well as the development of various factories.

He also built a railway line that started from the Mill and connected to the Bucharest-Ploiești line. During World War II, the prince played a crucial role in the armistice negotiations with the Allies, maintaining secret diplomatic contacts to facilitate Romania’s withdrawal from the war. Under his leadership, following his vision, the estate established itself as a center of modernization and social life, bringing together diplomats, leaders, and prominent figures.
Spirituality and Symbol
In 1891, the “Holy Trinity” Chapel was built, serving as a place of contemplation for the Știrbey family and a spiritual landmark of the estate. The chapel and the palace became attractions for the cultural and political elites of the time. Prince Știrbey was buried alongside his grandfather, ruler Barbu Știrbey, in the “Holy Trinity” Palace Chapel on the shores of Lake Buftea.

Royal Refuge and the Decisions That Changed the Course of History

The estate had close ties to the Royal Family of Romania, serving as a refuge for Queen Maria and her children during World War I.

In 1917, during the German occupation, Field Marshal August von Mackensen established his headquarters here.

The Peace Treaty of Buftea

On March 5, 1918, a preliminary agreement was signed at Știrbey Palace, under which Romania was forced to give up the Dobruja reagion.

On December 10, 1918, the Știrbey family returned to Știrbey Palace in Buftea after a two-year absence.

Reconstruction and Modernization

In the 1920s, the Știrbey Palace building was modified, and the top floor was expanded with new living quarters.

Also in 1920, the Water Tower was built, designed by architect Anghel Saligny, to store the water needed for the estate.

The Interwar Period and
World War II

During this period, the estate served as a venue for diplomatic gatherings and social events, reflecting the Știrbey family’s prominent status in Romanian society of the time.

During the years of World War II, the palace continued to host discreet meetings, with Prince Barbu Alexandru Știrbey even participating in the 1944 armistice negotiations in Cairo.

The End of an Era

On March 24, 1946, Prince Barbu Alexandru Știrbey died in Bucharest and was buried in the family chapel, alongside ruler Barbu Dimitrie Știrbey and other family members. Following his death, the entire estate was expropriated and came under the control of the Communist Party.

A historic agreement
signed in Buftea

At the Știrbey Palace, Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev signed the agreement under which Soviet troops were to withdraw from Romania.

Romania thus became the only country in the Warsaw Pact without Soviet troops on its territory.

State Protocol Site

Throughout the communist regime, the Știrbey Estate remained state-owned and was used primarily as a venue for state protocol. The palace regularly hosted high-ranking officials and official guests.

In the immediate vicinity, Buftea Film Studios underwent rapid development during this period, becoming the largest film production complex in Eastern Europe. The Știrbey Estate appears as a filming location in numerous productions of the era, historical films and period dramas produced in Buftea (“For the Fatherland”, “The Yellow Rose”, “Everything Is Paid For”, etc.)

The Post-Communist Transition

After the Revolution of December 1989, the estate underwent a period of administrative transition. In 1992, the estate came under the administration of the Ministry of Culture.

In 2000, the entire complex, officially named the Buftea Complex, was transferred to the State Protocol Property Administration and was partially opened to the public.

Restitution

By a decision of the European Court of Human Rights, the estate was returned to the heirs of the Știrbey family. More than two-thirds of the public property that belonged to the Buftea City Hall, including the Palace, became the property of the legal heirs, descendants of Prince Barbu Știrbey’s family. The Palace was closed to the public.

A New Chapter

In 2007, the estate was acquired by a private company, Bucharest Arena. For the first time, the estate opened to public: a à la carte restaurant, accommodations, and event pavilions breathed new life into it.

The Present:
A Maker of Memories

The estate has weathered eras and regimes, preserving its identity, balance, and the harmonious relationship between nature and architecture.

Following an extensive restoration and modernization process launched in 2022 by Dreamfilm Production Company, the Știrbey Vodă Estate blends historical heritage with contemporary architecture and modern functionality, becoming a landmark for cultural and gastronomic events and experiences.

The Știrbey Estate in Film

Thanks to its romantic architecture, vast park, and proximity to Buftea Studios, the Știrbey Estate has been used as a filming location for dozens of film productions:

  • Gray House – Roland Joffé (2023)
  • Wednesday – Tim Burton, Netflix (2021)
  • The Saint – Ernie Barbarash (2017)
  • A Princess for Christmas – Michael Damian (2011)
  • Blood and Chocolate – Katja von Garnier (2007)
  • The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising – David L. Cunningham (2007)
  • Jacquou le croquant – Laurent Boutonnat (2007)
  • BloodRayne – Uwe Boll (2005)
  • An American Haunting – Courtney Solomon (2005)

The estate has also served as a filming location for various Romanian TV series (Lia – My Husband’s Wife, Leave Me Alone, I Like It! Room 609, Behind the Front Lines – Heroes and Traitors), TV shows ( Good Morning with Razvan and Dani, Chefs at Knives), as well as music videos and commercials.