Vila Florica
| Vila Florica | |
|---|---|
| Etymology | Named after Florica, Ion C. Brătianu's first daughter, who died at a young age |
| General information | |
| Status | Museum |
| Type | Manor / Small two-story palace |
| Architectural style | Romanian Revival style |
| Classification | Historic monument, AG-II-a-A-13805 |
| Location | Ștefănești, Argeș County, |
| Address | Strada Ion I.C. Brătianu nr. 37 (formerly Aleea Stațiunii), Ștefănești, Argeș County, postal code 117715 |
| Country | Romania |
| Coordinates | 44°52′8″N 24°55′39″E / 44.86889°N 24.92750°E |
| Named for | Florica Brătianu |
| Year(s) built | 1858 (initial construction); major transformations: 1905-1912 and 1924-1925 |
| Construction started | 1858 |
| Opened | 2020 (as Brătianu National Museum) |
| Owner | Ministry of Culture and National Identity (since November 2017) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | Basement, ground floor, and two upper floors |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Petre Antonescu (for major transformations) |
| Known for | Principal residence of the Brătianu family; "birthplace of Romanian liberalism and monarchism ideologies and values" |
| Other information | |
| Public transit access | M4, M6, M6B, M9 bus lines from Pitești; Ion C. Brătianu railway station nearby |
| Website | |
| www | |
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Vila Florica is a historically significant estate located in Ștefănești, Argeș County, Romania, specifically within the Ștefăneștii Noi neighborhood. This distinguished property served as the principal residence of the influential Brătianu family, a political dynasty that played a pivotal role in the creation and modernization of the Romanian state. Today, the mansion houses the Brătianu National Museum, established in 2020, marking it as one of Romania's newest museums.
Beyond its architectural prominence, Vila Florica stands as a powerful symbol of Romanian political and cultural development throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. It embodies the Brătianu family's unwavering dedication to national progress and reflects the nation's often tumultuous history. The estate's narrative, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a national museum, offers a profound understanding of the forces that shaped modern Romania.