Valaquia

Valaquia, also known as Wallachia, is a historical region of present-day Romania located in the southern part of the country. It lies between the Carpathian Mountains to the north and the Danube River to the south and east, with Oltenia to the west and Muntenia forming its eastern portion in traditional terms. The region corresponds to a substantial portion of what is now southern Romania and has played a central role in the area’s medieval and early modern history.

The name Valaquia (Wallachia) derives from the Vlachs, Romance-speaking shepherd communities that historically inhabited these lands and surrounding regions. The term is found in Latin, Slavic, and other contemporary sources from the Middle Ages, reflecting the region’s ethnolinguistic dynamics.

History and political development: The Principality of Wallachia emerged in the early 14th century, traditionally linked to Basarab I, and gradually established itself as an independent state alongside Moldavia. It was ruled by hospodars (voivodes) and developed as a frontier principality interacting with neighboring powers, including the Ottoman Empire. From the 15th century, Wallachia held a status as a vassal of the Ottomans while retaining internal administrative and religious autonomy. The capital was initially at Târgoviște for several centuries, later shifting to Bucharest in the early modern period.

Modern era and legacy: In 1859 Wallachia united with Moldavia to form the United Principalities, a constitutional monarchy that laid the groundwork for modern Romania. Following the 1918 Great Union, the region became part of Greater Romania. Today, Wallachia is recognized as a historical and cultural region within Romania, with Bucharest—located in its historic heart—serving as the national capital.