Stavropoleos Church is one of the oldest churches in Bucharest, dating back to 1724. It is amazing that the church is still standing after the communist period, especially as it is located in the central part of Bucharest – the Old Town. Many churches were destroyed and new buildings were constructed on the sites in the late communist period. In 1977 there was a huge earthquake that damaged some and the communists took advantage and took down historical buildings that needed some repairs and were structurally sound.
The church had a monastery, but only a very limited part of that survives. Its priest, Dumitru Iliescu-Palanca, was imprisoned soon after the communists took power. Iliescu-Palanca graduated with honours from the Theology University in Chişinău. He was arrested in May 1948 and sent to 20 years of forced labour. He died on 17 March 1963 at Ostrov forced labour camp. After the revolution, in the 1990s, his remains were retrieved and he was buried in the Stavropoleos church yard.
Wow! That church is lucky to be still standing. How interesting to read about it’s history. It really is beautiful inside. x
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this is a stunner and I’m so glad it wasn’t bombed out or lost during the communist rule. That area outside — is that the cloisters? A burial area? It’s beautiful and the art within — wow.
It’s both the place of the cloister and a burial place. A wonderful piece of history.
It’s so beautiful! I’m glad most of it still remains. There’s often so many dastardly ruses to get rid of historical buildings. Often a convenient fire also!
What a beautiful piece of history. It really is amazing that it wasn’t razed during communism. As gorgeous as the interior is, I think my favorite part is that cloister area.
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