(Biserica Sfantul Spiridon Nou)
29-31 Serban Voda Street, Bucharest
Scarlat Ghica ruler, who reigned twice
in Wallachia (1758-1761; 1765-1766) and
once in Moldavia (1757-1758), built the
church on the former place of another
church.
The works started in 1767 but its founder
wouldn’t see the church finished as he
died. His son, Alexandru Scarlat Ghica,
as successor to the throne, completed
the works on September 30th 1768, adding
the belfry and the surroundings. The building
fell completely in ruins in 1852. Then,
Metropolitan Nifon, approved by Barbu
Stirbei ruler, built the biggest and the
most imposing church in Bucharest. The
works lasted 6 years, till October 1858.
The church, built in neo-gothic style,
having the walls upheld by resisting buttresses,
two on each side, is considered to be
the most spacious in Bucharest. The well-known
Romanian artist Gheorghe Tattarescu makes
the inside paintings and the framed drawings.
Stained glasses are the real masterpiece
of the building.
The church was damaged by the earthquakes
in 1940 and 1977 and also by bombardments
during the second war. The building was
repaired twice under the governments of
Patriarch Justinian Marina (1948-1977)
and Justinian Moisescu (1977-1986). The
founder's grave can been seen in the church.
