“Saint Ilie” church

Obedeanu church, being the titular saint of the "Annunciation" and of "St. Emperor Constantine and Elena ", the church was build in the first half of the eighteenth century, from 1748 to 1753, by the great priest Constantin Obedeanu. In chronological order, the foundation of Constantin Obedeanu was after the wall churches St. Ilie (1720), St. Gheorghe Vechi (1730) and St. Ioan Sebastian (1742). All other churches were made of wood. It is the only brick church in the first half of the eighteenth century that keeps its writing from the years of its construction. Dionysie Fotino numbered it among the eight monasteries of Craiova. The large family of Obedeanu, has undertaken a series of clerical acts and beneficences to churches and monasteries, being at the same time one of the riches boyar families in Craiova and probably in Oltenia. The settlement was at first a monastery and a hospital. In 1775 the "Princely School from Obedeanu Monastery" was built here, and in 1822 the public school of Obedeanu Monastery became the "Princely School", where it was taught not only in Romanian but also in French an Greek. Following the great earthquake of 1838, the church became "in a perfect dilapidation," as shown in a document of the time. A few years after the earthquake (1843-1844) the church is restored: the porch closes and remains with only a tower. The last radical repair was made in 1857-1858, and between 1930-1931 it was painted again inside, the windows changed and a tower was added. The buildings in the courtyard of the church were demolished in 1888-1889, building on their spots premises for primary schools for girls and boys (Obedeanu School). According to Pr. Drd. Ioan Ioanicescu, of everything that was once Obedeanu, today only the church and a part of the wall surrounding the school on the sides of the west and north, can be seen. Sources: http://www.monumenteoltenia.ro/fosta-manastire-obedeanu-biserica-buna-vestire-si-sf-imparati-craiova/ https://www.biserici.org/index.php?menu=BI&code=164 http://memorielocala.aman.ro/files/biserici.html

Saint Spiridon Church is located on a small hill in the heart of Craiova, not far from the National Theatre and the University. It was built in 1758 by the Vlădăieni boyars, during the reign of Constantin Nicolae Mavrocordat and of the bishop of Râmnic, Grigorie Socoteanu. In the middle of the XVIIIth century, the settlements of the Vlădăieni boyars were located in Craiova, on the hill between the Orbeţilor Valley (today Stefan cel Mare street) and the Opincă Valley (today Calea Bucureşti). Boyar Fota Vlădăianu erected, in 1758, the church of Saint Spiridon (also called the Vlădăianu Church), on the same spot where it was an older one made of twigs that was built by captain Tudor Berindei. Large houses were erected around the church, endowed with estates and worship objects, so that it started to resemble a monastery. This is the reason why, in the History of Dacia, Dionisie Fotino mentions it among the monasteries of Craiova. In 1837, the Vlădăianu monastery retained this title along with the Obedeanu and the Gănescu monasteries. Saint Spiridon Church is the first boyar church of the second half of the XVIIIth century that kept its old inscription above the entrance door in 1758. In a register from 1813-1815, were listed the Poenari boyars and founders who were related to Vlădăieni family. In 1771, Fota Vlădăianu was part of the boyars council in Craiova and Dolj county, and starting with July 1775, he was part of the vicegerent`s council. He died in 1778 and the inscription on his tombstone is still visible despite the passing of time. In 1826, a fountain was built in the church yard, and after the earthquake in 1838, several repairs took place, but they did not change its design. In 1843 it was surrounded with a brick wall. In 1861 a wooden bell tower was built in the church yard, which will be restored in 1925. Major repairs from the mid- XXth century included "elements of foreign composition, which changed the Byzantine character of many churches." Inside, the floor and the stairs were repaired and the base was painted. Between 1924 and 1925, at the "Saint Spiridon" Church, major repairs took place: it was painted again and the porch was opened, in order to reveal the beautiful stone pillars surrounding it. Also during this period, the church was repainted by the great painter from Craiova, Ion Listeveanu. Today we can admire the architecture of the open porch, the ornaments and the blind windows on the exterior side walls, the ventilation rosettes decorated with the Byzantine eagle.

Located in the central area of Craiova, the All Saints Church - Hagi Enuş is a special architectural complex consisting of the church itself dedicated to all saints and the bell tower which is one of the oldest in the city. The construction of the church dates back to 1792-1800, according to the Slavonic votive inscription on the stone located on the porch, inscription also rendered on a panel in front of the church: "With the help of the holy and life giving Troiți, this holy Church named the Outside Fair, where All Saints and the Great Martyr Pantelimon are celebrated, is built by Master Dumitrache Sandulache, Master Ion Băcanu, Master Mihai Cojocariu, Master Ion Sapunariu, helped by other foreign masters and merchants, who will be forever remembered, embellishing with painting on the outside as well as on the inside as it can be seen, in the days of enlightened Lord Mihai Constandin Şuţu Voivod and with the blessing of His Holiness Chiriu Chir Filaret, in the days of His Holy Father Bishop Nectarius, leatom .3 .. [broken]. " The text: "helped by priest Vladu and Master Matei Giurca", and the name "Tănasie" are written below the panel’s frame. Although the historical information written on the votive inscription established that the year 7301 since the creation of the world was the date when the church was built, namely autumn of 1792, a fragment of a wall on the south side of the church marks an older foundation. Thus, the church is considered to be more than 220 years old, additional information being provided by the chronicler Dionisie Eclesiarhul who claimed that the church was built in 1758, initially being a monastery dedicated to All Saints, served by the hieromonks Varlaam and Rafail. Regarding the votive inscription kept inside the church, numerous sources point out a certain Nicolae Ceausoiu or Ceausescu as founder. It is known that he had an adopted son, Nicola (e), brother or relative of Hagi Enuș Costa Petru (Hagi Enuș, Hagi Enuși, Hagi Ienuși, Ene Nanu, or Nanu Costa Petru), who later would take care of the church and name it. The reasons why this information was omitted from the courtyard information panel are not yet known but it is presumed it is based on the rejection of any possible connection with the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. In the eighteenth century, the locals knew the church was dedicated to All Saints as the old monastery was before it, a name that was preserved until 1782. Documents from the beginning of the nineteenth century, mention "The Church from the Outside Fair, dedicated to all the Saints, made by the merchants from the slums", built at the end of the previous century. Thus, alongside with the establishment of the so-called Outside Fair in Craiova’s suburbs, the church also took its name. It is noted that the main founder of the new church, Nicolae Ceausescu, would have had an adopted son, Nicola (e), son of the Costa Petru, a greek merchant and brother of Hagi Enuş. After Ceausescu’s death, Hagi Enuş helped his brother in the epitropy of the church. This explains the change of the church's name from the Outside Fair, then old the Outside Fair (caused by the relocation of the fair) into the Old Hagiu Fair, the Hagiu Church and later the Hagi Enuş Church. Officially, the name change occurred on July 29th, 1859 when, within the official letter no. 1285 of the Municipal Council of Craiova, the church is called for the first time Hagi Enuş church. Hagi Enuş was a rich merchant from Craiova and one of the churchwardens of the Madonna Dudu church (at that time Holy Mother from Dudu) and All Saints church, but also guardian of the house of Landlady Smaranda Brăiloiu. Hagi Enuş was also involved in the Revolution of 1821, lending money to Tudor Vladimirescu for weapons expenses. This support, however, was not unselfish, Hagi Enuş aiming to gain favour with the revolutionary hero. But Vladimirescu understood the tricks of the agile merchant, and accused him in one of the articles of the "Demands of the Romanian people" of plundering the country by robbery, sentencing him to expulsion from the country. The decision could not be implemented due to the tragic end of the Revolution leader. Later, Hagi Enuş falls into the people’s disgrace and is obliged to dispose the titles of churchwarden and guardian (April 1824). In the documents issued after 1824, only the "house of the late Hagi Enuş" will be mentioned. Throughout the 19th century, the church registered numerous damages, the repairs affecting its original appearance. During 1826-1829, works for repairing and painting of the ceiling, the splinter of the church and the repair of the bell-tower (rebuilt with brick from the church) were carried out. On this occasion, the old bell received during the Serbian riot in 1814 from the parish council of the "Archangels Michael and Gavriil" Church in Belgrad was moved to the bell tower. The "great earthquake" of 1838 also affects the structure and the resistance of the church, damaging the altar, the pulpit and the plaster, which leads to a new fresco painting of the edifice. The church undergoes a new repair process in 1839 and a general renovation and painting between 1855-1856 (founders Hristea Stancovici and Sterie Ioanu). In 1895, a new oil painting was added, while the outer painting was deleted and not restored, and covered with metal-sheet. Over time, the outside of the church became white-gray colored, leading to the name of Grey Church for the place. sources: http://www.monumenteoltenia.ro/ansamblul-bisericii-toti-sfintii-hagi-enus-craiova/ https://www.facebook.com/MonumenteOltenia/photos/a.363079720500624/638246172983976/?type=3&theater

The Church of the Holy Apostles is an architectural and religious monument of great value in Craiova, located near the central area, at 1, St. Apostles street. The church, which is dedicated to Saint Apostles Peter and Paul (June 29), is one of the oldest in the city, built in the XVth century - the beginning of the XVIth century and later restored. The current appearance, in a unique architectural style, dates back from the middle of the XIXth century. According to the architectural plan, the exterior decoration, the apparent brick system, the size of the church, but also the documentary evidence, the construction of the Church of the Holy Apostles dates back around the XVth-XVIth centuries. Thus, in a donation document belonging to Matei Basarab this church is mentioned in 1635, when a donation of 80 gold coins was made in order to repair the church, which means that it had, at that time, a considerable age. Moreover, the current inscription indicates 1784 as the year the church was erected, but the text is written over another one in a Cyrillic-Latin mixed alphabet, indicating that the church is much older. At the time of its construction, the church was surrounded by solid fencing walls and was located on the outskirts of the city. It was rebuilt in brick between 1781 and 1784 by Father Hristea, the archimandrite Antim and Matei Brânzan, assisted by the boyars and merchants in the area, especially by the guild of shoemakers. The "Church of Father Hristea" was built in the shape of a cross, with two open towers, an open porch supported on stone columns and two stone pillars in the interior, between the nave and the narthex, with one meter thick walls, made of narrow brick. On February 5th, 1784, Father Hristea consecrated the Church of the Holy Apostles to the Bishopric of Ramnicu and was ordained, taking the name of Hariton the Hieromonk, to serve the holy altar. In 1791, Father Hristea donated all his wealth to the church, including his land properties. Matei Brânzan, who appears in the donation document next to Father Hristea, is among the oldest known shoemakers in Craiova, a guildmaster who contributed to the painting of the church. The church was severely damaged by the earthquakes that hit Craiova in the XIXth century, especially those of October 1802 and January 1838, when the steeples and the vaults fell, and the porch collapsed. The repair involved replacing the two brick steeples with one made of wood. The condition of the church worsened once again and new repairs were needed. In 1855, during the reign of Barbu Știrbei and with the help of Saint Calinic, Bishop of Râmnic and Severin, the shoemaker guild, led by the guildmaster Petcu, constructed the bell tower using brick, closed the porch and repaired the church, except the towers and the interior vaults, and erected a wooden tower covered with tin over the narthex. The original painting, in fresco, was executed in 1788 by Popa Gheorghe - painter, using as a model the older fresco of the church, of which some samples can still be seen today in the narthex. In 1855, the church was covered with a layer of lime on which a new oil painting was made by the painter Costache Petrescu from Craiova (the one who also painted in Craiova the Mantuleasa Church and the Church of St. Ioan-Hera). In 1883 and 1903, the painting was washed and partially restored. Between 1987-1994, among other works at the Church of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul, the restoration of the original painting was completed with the new painting, in the areas where it was missing. The painting was entirely restored by the painter Dan Neamu - contract holder and coordinator, (he also restored the painting of the churches of Saint Gheorghe cel Nou, Mantuleasa, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Dumitru), along with the painter Teodora Ianculescu Spătaru ( who restored the painting in the altar), Prof. Dumitru Budică (who polished the iconostasis), painter Adrian Bănica (who painted the tower in the narthex and the porch, under the coordination of the painter Dan Neamu). Source: http://www.monumenteoltenia.ro/biserica-sf-apostoli-craiova/

The Holy Trinity Church is located on Ion Maiorescu Street, no. 9 (formerly Barbu Ştirbei), in front of the Carol I National College. It was founded by Dumitrana Ştirbei, the widow of Constantin Ştirbei, between 1765-1768. The fact that the building of the church began in 1765 is mentioned in a document of dated in December 15, 1765, which states that: "Dumitrana Ştirbei built a church near her houses in Craiova." The church was built outside the city, right on the edge of Craiova, in order to have the necessary space for its "courtyard". The landlords' courtyards around the churches formed at first the first outskirts of the city, later becoming the most developed area and the centre of Craiova. Dumitrana Ştirbei endowed the church; in 1782 she ordered a chandelier with 24 candlesticks from Sibiu and painted the church. Barbu Ştirbei, son of Dumitrana brought the painter from Sibiu. A bell with the following inscription “this bell was made by landlady Dumitrana Ştirboaica who placed it at the shrine of the patron saint in Craiova“ was brought in 1790. After 1811, according to the requests stipulated in Barbu Ştirbei’s will, cells were built here. In 1821, the Arnauts who came from Bucharest to fight against Tudor Vladimirescu were imprisoned in this church, causing great damage, the building needing reparation afterwards. In 1823, the roof was restored, the church being covered with "tiny splinter, well done and beaten in four". No major damage occurred following the earthquake in 1838. In 1840, the church was restored by Barbu Ştirbei (the future ruler of Wallachia) and the inscription mentioning its first founders was made. A new repair was made in 1890 and between 1901 and 1906 it was demolished and rebuilt according to the plans of the architect André Lecomte de Nouy, who also rebuilt the church of Saint Dumitru from Craiova. Anton C. Brăiloiu (Prefect of Dolj) was one of the churchwardens that administered the possessions of this church but, due to a disagreement with Ştirbei, was replaced with Major Alfred de Marentzeler (Austrian Catholic confession). He also repaired the church, demolished the cells built after 1811 and arranged a beautiful garden on their place. During the First World War, the President of the Craiova Court of Appeal, Mihalache Măinescu was named as churchwarden. Dumitrache Bibescu and his wife, Catinca Văcărescu, are buried in the church. In 1890, the attempt to build a hospital from the church's funds unfortunately failed. However, a medical dispensary for the poor was temporary installed in the houses near the church, and after 1940, was placed in a permanent location. Sources: http://www.monumenteoltenia.ro/ansamblul-bisericii-sfanta-treime-craiova/ http://www.ziarullumina.ro https://adriandobrephotography.wgz.ro http://memorielocala.aman.ro/files/biserici.html

The Orthodox Church "Assumption of Virgin Mary" and "St. Pantelimon "- Mântuleasa is a historical architectural monument of local interest, located in the central area of Craiova, on Calea Unirii St., no 59. The building is surrounded by other significant historical monuments, including the Varvoreanu House, the Nicolae Romanescu House, the Feraru House and the Grigorescu House. The story of the church is inscribed by its entrance: " By the will of Our Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, this church was built in 1792 on the grounds of an older one, having the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Saint Panteleimon and St. Catherine as patron saints, by the tailor’s guild helped by the treasurer Barbu Știrbei as well as other local merchants. Being severely degraded, the church was rebuilt in 1896 by priest Ilie Dumitrescu’s diligence and the financial help of several wealthy parishioners and painted by the Romanian painter Costache Petrescu. Between 2011-2012 the church was consolidated and restored together with the whole historical ensemble, under the patronage of IPS Dr. Irineu Popa, the Archbishop of Craiova and the Metropolitan of Oltenia, by the diligence of P.C. Parish priest Constantin Reşceanu. The first place of worship built on the site of the current Mântuleasa church was a small wooden church built in the early or mid-eighteenth century by the landlady Despina (or Dospina), the wife of treasurer Strămbeanu. At that time, it was not a common thing for a woman to set up churches, the same initiative being also taken by Dumitra Ştirbei, the wife of the great high Steward Constantin Ştirbei for the Holy Trinity Church. By the end of the century, a stone church was built right on the place of the tiny church, at the initiative of the treasurer Barbu Ştirbei, supported by the tailor’s guild as well as other local merchants. According to an article from the Archives of Oltenia, 10, no. 54-55, from March to June 1931, an old inscription dated June 2, 1786 of this destroyed church stated loan Tarzibașa ( terzibașă meaning chief of tailors), Matei Tarzibaşa, Master Dicu Cojocaru, cupbearer Constantin Otetelișanu, Dragu Dumitru and Stoian Croitoru among its founders. Due to this significant contribution, the church took over Saint Pantelimon-patron of the tailor’s guild as its own patron. The guild specific flag, which was taken at the end of the 19th century and later deposited at the Princess Ileana Crafts Corporation from Craiova, disappeared during the German occupation of Oltenia, in 1916-1918. No particular details about the architectural style and appearance of the Mântuleasa church from 1786 are known. Source: http://www.monumenteoltenia.ro/biserica-mantuleasa-craiova/

It mainly is known as the Cathedral of Our Lady, being one of the largest Orthodox churches in Craiova. The church was built in Brancovenian style between 1750-1756, at the initiative of Constantin Fotescu and Hagi Ion Gheorghe, having side apses and arches thereof with stone poles decorated with leaves. The church was named after the wonder icon of the Virgin Mary, which – according to the legend - would have been found in a mulberry tree on the place where the altar was later built. The Madona Dudu church is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It was later rebuilt in 1844 after its demolition during the earthquake in 1831. The painting on the interior walls of the church belongs to the famous painter Gheorghe Tatarescu. Between 1800-1801, the whole city was be set on fire by his Turks of Pasha Cara Mustafa, under the command of Pasha Pasvanoglu of Vidin. The churches were considered among the most important buildings to be destroyed. The Madona Dudu church was also burned down, the thrones, the pulpit and many icons perishing in the flames. The painting was severely damaged, and the buildings around the church were burned to the ground. With God’s mercy, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God escaped from the fire. The earthquake of 1838 has greatly damaged the church. Not being able to be strengthen, the church was teared down for six years she then rebuilt and decorated in Baroque style. Landlord Iordache Otetelisanu employed the architect who handled the works from Vienna. sources: https://www.facebook.com/pg/biserica.madona.dudu/about/?ref=page_internal https://www.crestinortodox.ro/biserici-manastiri/biserica-madona-dudu-craiova-122141.html

”All Saints” Roman-Catholic Church or the St. Anton Church Titular Saint: All Saints; St. Anton In 1827, priest Ludovic Bodor, supported by Bishop Iosif Molajoni, bought with 300 golden coins from Smaranda Prisăceanca the place where the local church is currently built. The construction of the building began on this location in 1844, having the following dimensions: 14 x 7 stânjeni and the height of 4 stânjeni (“stânjen” was a old measurement unit; 1 Stânjen = approximately 2 m). The church was planned to have 3 altars. The bell tower was 35 ocale (“oca” was an old measurement unit; 1 oca = 1,283 kg), and in 1857, Bishop Angelus Parsi would offer as a gift a 70 ocale weight bell. Then, the Church was sanctified in 1844 by Bishop Molajoni, in honor of "All Saints". A school was established in a large chamber of the parochial house by teacher, having as priest Ludovic Bodor as teacher. Major repair and refurbishment works were made after 1884 by the new parson, priest Eduard Struzina. Emperor Franz Joseph donated 2,500 golden coins. The old tower of the church was demolished, being built a new Gothic tower that lasted until the earthquake from 1977. A clock was installed in the tower, the church windows were replaced and three new beautifully sculpted altars were brought. The organ for the church was purchased in 1894. General repair works were made in 1910 and 1922. The earthquake of March 1977 seriously damaged the church tower and the part of the building located near the tower, which had to be demolished and rebuilt in its original form. The church was also consolidated. In 1884, Eduard Struzina became parish priest and brought to Craiova the Congregation of Mary Ward nuns, English Ladies, who immediately established a school for education and learning for girls, which quickly developed under the guidance of Mother Superior Gisela Kolbay (having elementary school and boarding school which were highly requested in Craiova at that time). The Institute closed its activity in the summer of 1948, together with the process of schools’ nationalisation. A shelter for poor women, founded by parson priest Andrei Kuczka, was also established on the land belonging to the Craiova Parish. Between 1998-1999, the interior of the church, the paintings and the statues as well as the interior of the parish house were renovated. Between 1991-1994, with the support of the Governments of the Republics of Germany and Italy and under the guidance of Pr. Dean Râtan Ionel, a kindergarten named "Saint Anthony" was built in the courtyard of the Parish. In 1992, the location of the catholic school where the Roman Catholic Dean is located and where The Roman Catholic Theological Medical School "Saint Joseph" is currently functioning (nurse school) was recovered by court decision. https://www.biserici.org/index.php?menu=BIA2&code=1459&criteria=&quick=&radio=b&order=P.TOWN,C.NAME,P.NAME https://www.gds.ro/Actualitate/2014-08-02/Biserica+%E2%80%9ESfantul+Anton%E2%80%9C%2C+o+opera+arhitectonica+de+200+de+ani/

"St. Dumitru" Cathedral in Craiova is one of the city's largest churches. It was built with the support of the Craioveşti nobil family and was founded in 1652 by Matei Basarab. But time and people brought alterations to the church: - Constantin Brancoveanu rebuilds the window frames in Brancoven style; - Constantin Obedeanu restores it in 1723 - the Argetoieni nobility restores it in 1774. The church deteriorated following 1840’s earthquake, and then closed until 1889, when restoration works began under the leadership of architect Andre Lecomte de Nouy, who built the current building from the ground up, without respecting the old style. The painting was made in three stages by the French painters Emil Menpiot and Bories, being completed in 1933. Currently, the Cathedral shelters the relics of Hierarch Saint Nifon, patriarch of Constantinople. The church-goers can also pray at the relics of Saints Serghie and Vah, as well as at the relics of the Holy Martyr Tatiana. According to documentary testimonies, "Sf. Dumitru" cathedral in Craiova is considerable old, dating before 1645, being identified at that time as the" Royal Church of Craiova". In 1651, by the order of Prince Matei Basarab, the church undergoes a reconstruction process. Its entire structure has been drastically altered, the initial appearance being modified. Starting with 1849 till 1889, the church will be closed, the weather conditions putting their mark on its appearance. That is the reason why, between 1889-1893, King Carol I and Queen Elizabeth demanded its reconstruction, observing the plans of the architect Andre Lecomte de Nouy. The church, built in 1893 by the royal family, was named cathedral only in 1939. sources: https://locuridinromania.ro/judetul-dolj/orasul-craiova/catedrala-sfantul-dumitru.html https://www.biserici.org/index.php?menu=BI&code=157 https://www.facebook.com/pg/catedralasfdumitru/photos/?ref=page_internal