Targoviste, Romania

Capital City

At just 66,965 residents, Târgoviște is hardly the bustling metropolis some expats may envision. The former capital of Wallachia now struggles to maintain its historical legacy, with the population declining steadily since the capital was moved to Bucharest. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the town retains Transylvanian organizational features from its Saxon colonial past. And while the city escaped the worst of the Ottoman invasions, the legacy of past sieges and executions still looms large. Târgoviște is best suited for history buffs willing to navigate its red tape and provincial charms.