Curtea de Argeş was an early capital of Wallachia, and these ruins from the 14th century mark the spot where the court once stood. The main sight is St Nicholas Church, which dates from the time of Basarab I (1310–52). Many of the frescoes are originals. The tomb of early ruler Vladislav I Vlaicu (d 1377) stands in the main room. Vlaicu's tomb was first discovered and exhumed in the 1920s. He was found buried wearing an enormous gold buckle (not on display).
The wall paintings, painstakingly restored in the early 20th century, merit closer inspection. In the main room to the right, just below the upper window, look for a rare painting of a pregnant Mary dating from 1370.
