Zlătari Church, București

On Calea Victorie, between the streets Stavropoleos and Lipscani, near the National Musem of History of Romania, you can find Zlătari Church. Its’ origins began in 1635, when Matei Basarab has built a stone church, replacing the wooden one that was originally there. The church has been reconstructed in 1705 by Mihai Cantacuzino, surrounded by the Zlătari inn.

Between 1802 and 1838, the Church and Inn Zlătari both suffer from earthquakes, and are going to be reconstructed according to the plans of Xavier Villacrosse. The church is painted by Gheorghe Tattarescu, but the inn didn’t hold up, and it was demolished in 1903, because of the extension of Calea Victoriei.

A new restoration phase takes place in 1907-1908, coordinated by Jean Pompilian and Gr. Cerkez, in order to expand Calea Victoriei even more.

The Church is damaged at the 1940 earthquake, which seriously damages the towers of the building. These will gain the shape that they have today in 1971-1973, when they’ll be rebuilt. After the earthquake of 1977, 2 apartment buildings are built in the church garden, on the northern and southern sides.

Between 2008 and 2014, restoration works take place again, and the mural paintings are cleaned and restored. The iconostasis is also restored.

Zlătari Church houses, since 1790 fragments of the relics of Saint Ciprian (its’ right hand), that Orthodox Christians believe to be working miracles. You can also find here an icon of the Mother of God, which sits in the south-eastern side of the nave.

As you can see, Zlătari Church’s past was not an easy one. It suffered a great deal of damage because of natural disasters, but it was rebuilt every time, being one of the oldest and most important religious places in Bucharest.