The borders between Wallachia and the Giurgiu Kaza, an area of conflict and cooperation on the Imperial Ottoman Danube limes

When the Ottomans created a new territorial entity with fixed borders at Giurgiu, this was due to Sultan Kanum`s initiatives to centralize the Empire. The border between Wallachia and this new Ottoman region at Giurgiu dates back to 1544, but is later on confirmed by successive sources. Starting with the second half of the 16th century relations between the Ottoman authorities in Giurgiu and the rulers of Wallachia were not always conflictual. There were periods of cooperation and every act of transgression by Ottoman subjects on Wallachian soil were punished. At the same time, Romanian subjects tried to appeal to the Porte for help and protection whenever they were abused by Ottoman representatives, Christian or Muslim. As far as the Wallachian prices were concerned, the borders at Turnu, Giurgiu and Braila were a place for conflicts, violence, excesses and delinquents, largely because the area was lightly defended and lacked central authority. Giurgiu, a Muslim city on Christian lands, was however a tempting place for the inhabitants of Wallachia.1n