Buzescu, Romania's 'richest village', draws tourists to palace homes

Buzescu, a village of about 5,000 people in Teleorman County, Romania, is famed for its opulent villas that resemble palaces. The settlement, located less than three hours' drive from the Serbian border, has become a magnet for tourists, photographers and architecture enthusiasts who stroll its main street to view the marble columns, gilded details and sprawling estates.

The wealth of the village stems largely from the Kalderash Roma community, whose families amassed fortunes trading scrap metal such as copper, aluminium and steel after the fall of communism. The lavish houses serve as status symbols, with many owners using only a fraction of the space because of the high costs of heating and maintenance. While the villas were not originally built for tourism, they now form a unique open‑air showcase of contemporary Romani architecture and attract visitors from around the world.