Manuc's Inn (Hanul lui Manuc)

Manuc's Inn, or Hanul lui Manuc, is a historic caravanserai at Strada Franceza 62-64 in Sector 3 of Bucharest, Romania, on the southern edge of the Old Town near Piata Unirii. It was built in 1808 by the Armenian merchant Emanuel Marzaian, known as Manuc Bei, who served as a diplomat and trader. The two-storey inn once offered lodging, stables, shops and a tavern for traders travelling through Wallachia, and in 1812 it hosted the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Bucharest between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Today visitors can walk through the large inner courtyard, ringed by wooden galleries with carved balustrades and arched openings, and filled with restaurant and cafe tables. The complex includes a hotel, a wine cellar, and several restaurants serving Romanian dishes. The ground-floor arcades show traces of the original stables, and the building has been restored several times. A visit generally takes 30 to 45 minutes for a stroll and a coffee. The best photo angles are from the courtyard centre looking up at the galleries, and from the upper balcony in late afternoon light. Crowds peak at lunchtime and during summer evenings, when the courtyard fills with diners, while weekday afternoons are calmer. Entry to the courtyard is free, and restaurants stay open until late. The inn lies a short walk from Curtea Veche and Strada Lipscani, which makes it an easy addition to a walk through the historic centre. It remains one of the best preserved examples of early nineteenth-century commercial architecture in the city.