Curtea Veche (Old Princely Court) is one of the main interesting sites located in the center of Bucharest. The site contains the remains of the former royal residence of Bucharest, which was destroyed during the fire of 1718 and an earthquake in 1738. There are many theories as to who was the creator of the Court, with some experts concluding that it was built for Mircea the Elder. According to research, he had a fortress built somewhere between the 14th and 15th centuries, which was later upgraded by Vlad the Impaler. At that time the city and shops where located around the fortress, which explains its significance in the history of the city. After the events of the 18th century, a new court was built nearby and the site took the name by which we know it today.