The most beautiful religious buildings Bucharest

It's the little jewel of the historic centre. Built in 1724, in the Brâncovenesc style, it is a superb example among the many buildings that appeared during the century of the Phanariotes, the governors imposed by the Turks. The façade is richly decorated with carved columns, medallions and multiple plant motifs. The interior is also remarkable, covered with frescoes and endowed with a beautiful carved wooden iconostasis. The modest size of the building, the darkness that reigns there, the play of lights on the icons give it a very special atmosphere.

Founded in 1715 by the erudite Metropolitan Antim, this is one of Bucharest's most beautiful monasteries. You'll notice the characteristic Brâncovenesc style, the discreet but rich floral carvings, as well as beautiful Nativity paintings (dating from 1812, like many of its buildings). The monastery is concealed by the blocks of flats built in the 1980s. To erect them, the block housing the monks was moved 20 m. The surrounding streets, which escaped destruction, offer a glimpse of the district's past charm.

Dedicated to the archangels Michael and Gabriel, the Armenian church(biserica armenească) was built in 1915. Recently renovated, it has regained its whiteness. The courtyard features a bust of General Andranik (1865-1927), Armenia's national hero. It also houses a museum dedicated to the history of the country's once sizeable Armenian community. Mainly made up of small craftsmen and merchants, it has left a precious architectural heritage, visible in the surroundings in the beautiful Armenian quarter, which starts here and stretches along Calea Moșilor.

In front of the imposing Colţea Hospital building stands a statue of Mihai Cantacuzino, built in 1869. It was he who, in 1704, decided to build this hospital, the first in the city. It was rebuilt twice. The Colţea church was also founded by Mihai Cantacuzino, in 1702. It underwent numerous renovations after a fire (1739) and an earthquake (1838). You'll notice its unique portico, Italian Baroque style and floral ornamentation. The interior features paintings by Tattarescu dating from 1871.

This church perched on a mound is an important monument of the Romanian faith. Founded in 1658 by the voivode Constantin Șerban, it became the church of the Metropolitan of Wallachia a few years later, and the cathedral of the patriarchate in 1925. The building is rather massive, with an arcaded façade and three bell towers, added in 1698 by Constantin Brâncoveanu. The interior ornamentation is impressive, but perhaps most fascinating of all is the fervor displayed within. Next door, the Patriarchate Palace houses the headquarters of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

This imposing brick edifice, on the corner of strada Luterană and strada General Berthelot, was inaugurated in 1884. It is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bucharest, a religion claimed by over 800,000 people in Romania, including a majority of Hungarians. The church, mainly Romanesque in style, includes a few Gothic elements. The entrance is surmounted by a large rose window. The interior, dark and elegant, features an impressive organ.

Wedged between blocks of flats at the entrance to Place de la Révolution, this red-brick, Brâncovenesc-style church was built in 1722 on the initiative of boyar Iordache Crețulescu (or Kretzulescu), Prince Brâncoveanu's son-in-law. The interior frescoes, dating from 1860, are by Tattarescu. The church underwent numerous alterations in the ^20th century. Threatened with demolition by the Communist regime, it was finally preserved. Damaged during the 1989 revolution, it was restored between 1990 and 2000.

Here's an edifice that's crystallizing passions and creating controversy. The cathedral, which began construction in 2011, has so far cost over 200 million euros, most of which comes from public funds. In addition to the debate over the aesthetics of this gigantic building, which stands next to the Palace of Parliament, with which it rivals, a large part of the population feels that this money should have been used for more useful purposes (schools, hospitals, etc.).

It escaped destruction under Communism, but like the Antim monastery on the other side of Unirii boulevard, it's been squeezed between blocks of flats. Built by Matei Basarab in 1636, it was embellished by Cantacuzino in 1775. The door is protected by a porch, whose six columns are beautifully decorated with plant motifs. Inside, you'll see numerous portraits: Matei Basarab, Ștefan and Constantin Cantacuzino, Princess Păuna..

The church is named after and houses the tomb of Constantin Brâncoveanu's daughter, who died in 1751. Built in 1885, it is the fourth version, the previous three having suffered fire, flood and earthquake. Its brick and orange colors stand out beautifully against the gray buildings that surround it. The stained-glass windows from Vienna and the chandelier made in Munich are remarkable. In the courtyard is a statue dedicated to the princess, made in 1881.

It is a beautiful church, the remains of a 16th century monastery founded by the Wallachian prince Alexandru II. It is flowery, colourful and well maintained. It is a quiet and restful place, a stone's throw from the wide and noisy boulevards. The chapel is superb, with its interior walls, domes and ceilings entirely covered with polychrome paintings, highlighted by beautiful green columns. This can be reached by driving along the Dâmbovița, from Piața Unirii, and turning right at Bucur Church.

This tiny church perched above the Dâmbovița is wedged between a concrete block and a glass building. It was erected in the ^17th century by monks from the nearby Radu Vodă monastery, on the site of an older church whose construction is attributed to Bucur the Shepherd(Bucur Ciobanul), the legendary founder of Bucharest. Anecdotally, bucur means "joy", making Bucharest the "city of joy". The small hill has been beautifully landscaped, with arbors, flowers and benches making for a very pleasant setting.

Located near Piaţa Amzei, this synagogue is the oldest in the city still in use. Built in 1840, it is renowned for its architectural style, with neo-Moorish influences, and for the beauty of its interior hall (carved wooden balconies...). Outside, bas-reliefs adorn the tympanums above the doors. The higher one on the façade depicts the Ten Commandments. After a long period of closure, the synagogue was restored in 2007 and is now used by the Lubavitch community.

The Church of the Icon(biserica Icoanei) is located near the park of the same name. It dates from the ^19th century and owes its name to one of its icons: a ^17th-century representation of the Virgin Mary, donated by the Wallachian prince Constantin Brâncoveanu. The white exterior is finely sculpted in places. The interiors are dazzling: the walls are covered with frescoes and gilding is omnipresent. Set back from the main boulevards, the district, characterized by a pleasant lack of architectural harmony, is full of charm.

At the junction of two boulevards, this church, which looks like an Ionic temple, does not go unnoticed. It's right next to the Greek Embassy. The two buildings were built at the end of the 19th century, as a result of the efforts of the Greek community and its diplomats. The church was recently renovated, hence its very bright façade. In the front garden there is a bust of Rigas Velestinlis, an 18th century Greek writer, who lived in Bucharest for a time. A national hero, he defended the independence of the Balkan peoples under the Ottomans.

Set back from the street, this brick neo-Moorish synagogue was built in 1866. Gradually enlarged, organs and superb stained-glass windows were added. A monument to the victims of the Holocaust has stood in the courtyard on the street side since 1992. The synagogue is still in use. Those interested in the history of the city's Jewish community can also visit two large cemeteries: Cimitirul Evreiesc (Sephardic), Şoseaua Giurgiului, and Cimitirul Israelit Filantropia (Ashkenazi), boulevard Mihalache.

Considered one of the finest examples of Orthodox architecture in Bucharest, it was built by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu. Seven years after its inauguration in 1707, the voivode was captured by the Turks, who took him and his sons to Istanbul, where they were all beheaded. His wife brought his remains back to Bucharest and buried them in this church. His tomb can be seen here. Destroyed by fire in 1847, the beautifully frescoed building was rebuilt in 1853.

Located in the former Princely Court(Curtea veche), the Church of St. Anthony the Great, also known as the Church of Good News(Buna Vestire), was built in 1545-1554 by Prince Mircea the Shepherd, who is depicted in the frescoes. It has been fairly well restored over the centuries, despite the many damages it has suffered: fires, invasions and earthquakes. You'll notice the elegance and originality of its exterior facade, an alternation of exposed brick and roughcast.

The Church of the Princess(Biserica Doamnei) was built in 1683 by Princess Maria, the wife of the Wallachian prince Șerban Cantacuzino. With its entrance adorned with rich floral decoration, this rectangular edifice heralds the Brâncovenesc style, while retaining the characteristics of the more austere style that prevailed during the reign of Matei Basarab. It is one of those churches that communism hid, literally hemmed in by buildings. Invisible from Calea Victoriei, you have to pass under a porch next to the Pizza Hut restaurant to reach it.

The St. Nicholas Student Church(biserica studenților Sfântul Nicolae) was built between 1905 and 1909, on the initiative of the Russian ambassador of the time. With its golden bulbs, it has the look of a Russian Orthodox church. Seen from Piaţa Universităţii, it is very photogenic. Its iconostasis, the work of Moscow artists, was modelled on that of the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul in the Kremlin. Today, it serves as a chapel for students.