The history of Cotroceni Palace began four centuries ago, whereas the area, surrounded by the famous Vlasiei forests, included agricultural lands and a village of free peasants. But the reputation and glamour of the Cotroceni begin with the reign of Serban Cantacuzino (november 1678 – october 1688), who had "the estate" since 1660, when he received it as a reward from Mr Gheorghe Ghica (1659-1660). Like most of the lords of the Romanian Countries, Serban Cantacuzino has had a vocation of a founder. Thanks to this vocation, between 1679 and 1681, at The Cotroceni Palace was built the monastery comprising the orthodox rite church, the royal houses, the Father Superior houses, the monk cells, the refectory, the monasteries’ kitchen and a chapel.
Another personality of national history that links its name to Cotroceni is Tudor Vladimirescu as well. In 1821, Tudor, as leader of the revolution, sets his camp at Cotroceni.
In 1852, the ensemble at Cotroceni will be rebuilt and modernized at the will of lord Barbu Dimitrie Ştirbei.
A new period in the history of Cotroceni begins during the reign of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, and in 1862 he asked architect Carol Benesch to restore the houses which, furnished with elegant pieces, will become the summer residence of the prince of Union and his wife, Mrs. Elena.
An important page in the history of Cotroceni is written with the rise on the Romanian throne of Carol I by Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. As the Royal Palace of Victoria was the official residence, on June 10, 1866 the Legislative Corps offer to prince Carol as the summer residence the royal palace from Cotroceni, where he will live with his wife, Elisabeta and daughter, princess Maria (spoiled by the name Itty). King Carol I and Queen Elisabeta lived for a longer period at Cotroceni during the redevelopment of the palace from Calea Victoriei, which started in 1885, after which the royal couple moved from Cotroceni to the Grand Palace. But history remains the worthy initiative of King Carol I to turn the old royal palace from Cotroceni into a modern royal palace, accomplished in the manner of french eclectism. The project of the new residence was entrusted to Paul Gottereau, the architect who had also worked on the transformation and extension of the Royal Palace from Calea Victoriei.
The Cotroceni Palace will be inhabited by the princely pair, Ferdinand and Maria, starting in March 1896. Under the influence of Prince/Queen Maria, the Cotroceni Palace passed a series of changes and internal redevelopments between 1900-1910 and 1913-1915. The styles in which Maria preferred to redecorate the palace's interiors created at Cotroceni a set in which the elements of the old Romanian architecture of the Great White Lounge (The Cerchez Lounge) co-live with the Art Nouveau or Norwegian style lounges, only the living room, the work cabinet and the bedroom of King Ferdinand remain unchanged, keeping its spartan simplicity.
Regardless of the changes it has undergone, the Cotroceni has kept the scent of some histories which have been said and written. By far, one of the most important events, with a crucial impact on Romania's future, was the Crown Council (14 August 1916) in which it was decided to mobilize and enter The First World War. The Cotroceni Palace was not only the witness of first-class political events which are important for the history of our country, but also the host of great painters, musicians and writers such as George Enescu, Grigoras Dinicu, Nicolae Grigorescu, Alexandru Vlahuta, Vasile Alecsandri, Titu Maiorescu, Mihai Eminescu, the conductors Felix Weingartner, Molinari, etc. After the death of Queen Maria, King Carol II and King Michael I will no longer use Cotroceni as residence, preferring the palace on Calea Victoriei. Apart from the abandonment in which it was left, the Cotroceni ensemble was severely affected by the earthquakes from 1940 and 1977.
Between 1949 and 1976, the Pioneers' Palace functioned here. Between 1977 and 1988, the Cotroceni Palace was rebuilt, with work being carried out under the leadership of architect Niculae Vlădescu. It was then also decided to build the new wing which currently houses the premises of The Presidential Administration. The recovery of historical periods with cultural-artistic references of great importance to the Romanian middle age, the cantacuzino-brancoveneasca, but also to the modernity of the Romanian state, was the reason for the government decision of 10 July 1991, which organized the Cotroceni National Museum in the old palace. Since its establishment, in addition to its role as heritage depositary, the Cotroceni National Museum has managed, through its activity, to present the historical identity, but also the Romanian cultural actuality, as a reference monument to the national heritage and the European treasure.