Gheorghe Ghica
Gheorghe Ghica (
1600-
1664), the founder of the
Ghica family, is said to have been a playmate of another
Albanian known in history as Ktipruli Aga, the famous vizier, who recognized Gheorghe while he was selling melons in the streets of Constantinople, and helped him on to high positions. Gheorghebecame prince of
Moldavia in
1658 and prince of
Wallachia in
1659-
1660. He moved the capital from
Targoviste to
Bucharest. From him are derived the numerous branches of the family which became so conspicuous in the history of Moldavia and Wallachia.