Biserica Curtea Veche (Old Court Church), Bucharest
Nestled amid the vibrant atmosphere of Bucharest鈥檚 Old Town, Curtea Veche Church鈥攁lso known as the Church of Saint Anthony or Old Court Church鈥攊s the city鈥檚 oldest surviving religious building, dating back to the mid-16th century. Built by Mircea Ciobanul around 1545鈥�1554, it originally served as the princely chapel within Curtea Veche, the medieval residence of Wallachian voivodes, including Vlad the Impaler. Its walls have witnessed centuries of coronations and religious ceremonies, making it a keystone of Bucharest鈥檚 spiritual and political legacy.
The church is dedicated to the Annunciation and Saint Anthony the Great, reflecting both royal patronage and the strong local devotion to the saint. Mircea Ciobanul himself is entombed within its walls鈥攁 testament to its deep historical significance. Although repeatedly damaged by wars, fires, and earthquakes over the centuries鈥攊ncluding a notable restoration after the great fire of 1847鈥攖he church has been carefully restored to its near-original appearance through 20th-century efforts.
Architecturally, Curtea Veche Church is a striking example of the Brancovenesc style. Its red brick fa莽ade features horizontal banding that alternates with plaster, and original Moldavian buttresses support the structure, elements that were revolutionary in Wallachian ecclesiastical design. Inside, visitors can admire the Pantocrator dome, historic fresco fragments, a carved iconostasis, and the ornate portal added by Stefan Cantacuzino in 1715.
For travelers exploring Lipscani and the ruins of the Old Princely Court, this compact yet profound church offers a rich, contemplative experience. It remains an active place of worship, with weekly Tuesday services attracting large numbers of devotees to venerate Saint Anthony鈥檚 icon, a focal point of local religious life. A visit here isn鈥檛 just a step into the past, but also an immersion in the enduring faith and architectural artistry that shaped Bucharest鈥檚 spiritual heart.
The church is dedicated to the Annunciation and Saint Anthony the Great, reflecting both royal patronage and the strong local devotion to the saint. Mircea Ciobanul himself is entombed within its walls鈥攁 testament to its deep historical significance. Although repeatedly damaged by wars, fires, and earthquakes over the centuries鈥攊ncluding a notable restoration after the great fire of 1847鈥攖he church has been carefully restored to its near-original appearance through 20th-century efforts.
Architecturally, Curtea Veche Church is a striking example of the Brancovenesc style. Its red brick fa莽ade features horizontal banding that alternates with plaster, and original Moldavian buttresses support the structure, elements that were revolutionary in Wallachian ecclesiastical design. Inside, visitors can admire the Pantocrator dome, historic fresco fragments, a carved iconostasis, and the ornate portal added by Stefan Cantacuzino in 1715.
For travelers exploring Lipscani and the ruins of the Old Princely Court, this compact yet profound church offers a rich, contemplative experience. It remains an active place of worship, with weekly Tuesday services attracting large numbers of devotees to venerate Saint Anthony鈥檚 icon, a focal point of local religious life. A visit here isn鈥檛 just a step into the past, but also an immersion in the enduring faith and architectural artistry that shaped Bucharest鈥檚 spiritual heart.
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Biserica Curtea Veche (Old Court Church) on Map
Sight Name: Biserica Curtea Veche (Old Court Church)
Sight Location: Bucharest, Romania (See walking tours in Bucharest)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bucharest, Romania (See walking tours in Bucharest)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bucharest, Romania
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