The Ghica family (Romanian: Ghica, Greek: Gikas, Γκίκαs) were a Romanian noble family, active in Wallachia, Moldavia (providing several rulers of the Danubian Principalities) and in the Kingdom of Romania. In the 18th century, several branches of the family went through a process of Hellenization (into the Phanariote social network). The Ghicas also held the (agnatic) rank of Princes of the Holy Roman Empire (Fürst), a title first bestowed upon Grigore II Ghica in 1673 by Leopold I.
Famous quotes containing the word family:
“The Family is the Country of the heart. There is an angel in the Family who, by the mysterious influence of grace, of sweetness, and of love, renders the fulfilment of duties less wearisome, sorrows less bitter. The only pure joys unmixed with sadness which it is given to man to taste upon earth are, thanks to this angel, the joys of the Family.”
—Giuseppe Mazzini (1805–1872)