Brāncoveanu aristocratic family of Oltenia, related to Craiovescu family, playing an important role in Wallachia between XVII–XIX centuries. Matei Basarab (at first Aga Brāncoveanu in the administration) became ruler under the name of Matei Basarab (1623–1654); Preda B. (?–1658) Sword Bearer, High Lord Steward, Minister of Internal Affairs and Justice, the richest man of his time; assasinated by Mihnea; Constantin Brāncoveanu (1682–1688) Sword Bearer and Chancellor; ruler of Wallachia (1688–1714), nephew to the ruler Serban Cantacuzino; a real man of the Renaissance, Mecena in the Romanian space, he developed in architecture the brāncovenesc style; during his long and prosperous reign, Romanian culture was much influenced by the Aristotelianism of the Padua school. In the external affairs, he aimed at keeping a balance between the Austrian Empire, the raising Russian power and the Otoman Empire, each wishing to expand at the expence of the Romanian Countries. He kept contacts with his neighbours and concluded many peace treaties, trying to stop raptures from his teritory. Surnamed Altān Bei (in Turkish «Prince of the Gold»), he succeeded in keeping peace in his country for more than 25 years, by bribing both political and military personalities of the great powers. Finally, the Turks, convinced by his duplicitary policy, beheaded him and his four boys. The last and most remarcable of the native Romanian rulers, he chose death instead of converting himself and his family to the Muslim religion. Grigore B. (?–1832) ban of Craiova played a major part in the movement led by Tudor Vladimirescu (1821).

Brāncoveni Monastery, built by Matei Basarab, repaired by Constantin Brāncoveanu.