Catedrala Mitropolitană
The Metropolitan Cathedral
Bucharest was always an ecclesiastical centre.
The Patriarchal Church was built in 1656 by Prince
Constantin Serban (1654-1658), the last of the
Basarab line, in Byzantine architectonic style. The
building of the monastic complex was projected to be
the Metropolitan See of Walachia. The consecration
is described by Macarius, Patriarch of Antioch who
took part in the ceremonies. The cathedral church
exhibits a big ante-nave, the narthex (pronaos) -
stone columns with arcades - and fore spires. The
large porch (pridvor) is covered by three cupolas
and are visible after the last restoration. A first
systematization of the monuments started in the
first half of the 19th century, but an organization
by modern urban principles - only in 1931.The
Cathedral is erected on the Patriarchate Hill (Dealul
Mitropoliei), a few steps away from central
boulevard of the Civic Centre.
Near the church is the old patriarchal palace, whose
building started in the same time with the church
but was finished only in 1708. It is part of a more
recent construction, and thus became the residence
of the Romanian Patriarchy. The access to the church
and to the Palace is made through a belfry tower.
The series dedicated to the Patriarchy catches – as
said by the inscription of one of the photos’ back –
the works of “enlargement and restoration”. So, this
religious space is going through the modernization
works that affect the entire Bucharest. The series
alternates the seasons and the moments of the day,
global and detailed images (a special attention is
given to the façade). A photography from 1929
catches the inauguration of the Patriarchate Alley
