The Cotroceni National Museum will be open to the public on 24 January, offering free entry for children and teenagers on the occasion of the 167th anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities, achieved by ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
As part of the exhibition dedicated to this occasion, visitors can admire the ceremonial sword gifted to Prince Cuza by the Prince of Serbia, Mihailo Obrenovic, in recognition of his support for the Serbian people's struggle for liberation from the Ottoman rule, the Museum informed on Friday.
The sword, which bears the inscription on its curved blade "Amicus certus in re incerta / A sure friend in uncertain times" was worn by Alexandru Ioan Cuza at the opening of the session of the Legislative Bodies on 15 November 1863.
The exhibition also brings together other objects of great historical value, such as the "Pro Virtute Militari" decoration, instituted to celebrate the Battle of Dealul Spirii (13 September 1848), medals struck on the occasion of reforms which marked the development of the Romanian society and the full unification of the two principalities, the ceremonial regulations of Prince Cuza's court inspired by those of the French imperial court, postcards depicting the Cuza princely family and political figures of the time who supported him in reforming the new state: Vasile Alecsandri, Mihail Kogalniceanu, C. A. Rosetti and Costache Negri (from the Daniel Cosmin Obreja collection).
The exhibition is complemented by copies of important documents: the one certifying Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza's double election (5 and 24 January 1859), the firman through which the Ottoman Empire recognized the administrative and legislative union of the two principalities (22 November / 4 December 1861) and the renovation and equipping of the Cotroceni summer residence (1862).
Visitors under 18 will enjoy free entry.
At the Museum entrance, visitors must present an original identification document (ID card or passport).
Alexandru Ioan Cuza and his wife, Mrs Elena Cuza, had the Cotroceni Princely Palace as their summer residence, which they renovated from 1862 onwards with repairs, new furnishings and the redecorating of interiors using contemporary furniture and decorative items, some sourced from Western manufactories, especially from Paris.
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