Patriarchal Cathedral
Patriarchal Cathedral is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Bucharest audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Bucharest Bucharest guide
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About Patriarchal Cathedral
The historic seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church, a Brâncovenesc cathedral of the 1650s on Metropolitan Hill, holding revered relics and standing where a landmark vote for Romanian union was made.
The Patriarchal Cathedral, dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helen, crowns Dealul Mitropoliei, Metropolitan Hill, above the old centre. Built in the 1650s by Prince Constantin Șerban in the Brâncovenesc style, it soon became the metropolitan cathedral of Wallachia, and in 1925, when the Romanian Church was raised to a Patriarchate, it became the seat of the Patriarch. It holds the relics of Saint Dimitrie the New, the patron of Bucharest.
Restored many times, the cathedral keeps its old form but its frescoes are twentieth-century work. Around it on the hill stand the Patriarchal Palace, a bell tower built as a gate by Constantin Brâncoveanu, and the former Chamber of Deputies. On this hill in 1859 a great crowd pressed the assembly that voted to unite the principalities under Alexandru Ioan Cuza, a founding step toward modern Romania. It should not be confused with the huge modern People's Salvation Cathedral nearby.
Did you know? Built in the 1650s by Prince Constantin Șerban in the Brâncovenesc style, the cathedral became the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarch when the Church was raised to a Patriarchate in 1925.
How long should you spend at Patriarchal Cathedral?
Plan about ~30 min at Patriarchal Cathedral. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Patriarchal Cathedral worth visiting?
Patriarchal Cathedral is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Bucharest, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Bucharest
Day 2 of the Bucharest in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Patriarchal Cathedral
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