"St. Dumitru" Metropolitan Cathedral

"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