Romania is quite a religious country. However, unlike other Romance language countries, Romania is not predominantly Catholic. Instead, Romania is 81% Romanian Orthodox. Overall, Romania is 92% Christian, with the other Christian denominations being Protestant and Catholic.
With the predominant religion being Romanian Orthodox, there are many beautiful Romanian Orthodox churches throughout the country that are definitely worth a visit! Below is a non-exhaustive list of some of the most beautiful cathedrals found throughout the country.
Timisoara Orthodox Cathedral
This Metropolitan Cathedral is listed in the National Register of Historic Monuments. It was built between 1936 and 1941, in Neo-Moldavian style. This elegant Cathedral has eleven towers, the biggest of which reaches a height of 90.5 meters. This Cathedral is dedicated to the Three Holy Hierarchs: Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. The Cathedral is located in western Romania, in the historical Banat region.
The Coronation Cathedral, Alba Iulia
This church has an extensive history. It was raised in the western part of the Alba Iulia Citadel, near the Roman Plateau. It is believed to have been a continuation of the stone church built by Michael the Brave back in 1597. The church was then rebuilt form 1713-1714. However, it went through yet another transformation when the Habsburg authorities demolished it and used the remaining materials to rebuild it again, this time near the train station, where it currently stands.
The second rebuilding of the church was finished just in time for the coronation of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie on October 15, 1922. They were the monarchs of Grater Romania. However, King Ferdinand was Catholic and did not want to be crowned in an Orthodox church. The compromise, then, was to be crowned in the courtyard. In commemoration of the coronation, busts of Ferdinand and Marie were made for the church in 2008.
1922 was also a noteworthy time for the completion of the church because it was finished in the same city where the Union of Transylvania with Romania occurred just a couple years earlier, on December 1, 1918. This latter event gave special significance to the church.
The People’s Salvation Cathedral
This is the patriarchal church of Romania, located right in the nation’s capital, Bucharest. The People’s Salvation is both the largest and tallest Orthodox church in the world (largest by volume). It is the third largest Orthodox church in the world by area, and the largest Eastern Orthodox church. It is located in the same courtyard as the Palace of the Parliament, which is the heaviest building in the world.
If you visit Bucharest, you won’t be able to miss this church as it sits high in the skyline. And although this is a momentous and striking building, it was just built in 2018. This means that if it has been a while since you last visited Bucharest, you now have a new landmark to visit!
The Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral
This is the most famous Romanian Orthodox church of Cluj-Napoca. It took ten years to build, from 1923-1933. It was designed in Byzantine style by the same architects as that of the Mausoleum of Mărășești, located in eastern Romania. It was built with stone from Baciu and Bompotoc, two regions in Romania.
Professors from the local Art Academy, Anastasie Demian and Catul Bogdan, were recruited to paint the interior murals. The main dome of the Cathedral was inspired by the famous dome of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, also encompassed by four towers just like in Istanbul. The architecture and craftsmanship that went into this church is truly impressive and definitely worth a visit!
The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Constanta
Constanta is a city with a large history, going back more than 2000 years. The cornerstone for the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul was laid in September of 1883. This church is located right by the shore Black Sea and became a Cathedral in 1923. It paused serving as a place of worship in 1941 due to bombings from World War II. After the war, it underwent a restoration period that lasted until 1951.
Up until 1951, this building was the location of the Bishop’s seat. In 1951, however, the Bishop’s seat was moved to another parish, so this one was downgraded to “church” status. Nevertheless, in 1975 a bishop began serving again at this parish, returning it to Cathedral status. This Cathedral was built in beautiful Greco-Roman style and has an impressive 35-meter tower. This Cathedral’s vast history and remarkable architecture definitely makes it worth a visit!
The Cathedral of Saint Demetrius, Craiova
This Cathedral is found in the historic region of Oltenia. It is not known exactly when this Cathedral was first built, but it is believed to be no younger than 500 years old. Actually, archeological digs show that the church might have been around in the 8th or 9th century. It was then renovated in 1651 but was not well-maintained and was eventually demolished in 1889.
That same year, construction began for a new church, which was finally finished in 1933. The new Cathedral was built in Byzantine Revival style and houses relics of the saints Patriarch Nephon II or Constantinople, Sergius and Bacchus and Tatiana of Rome.
Romania is a country with a very rich religious history, far beyond what is here in this list. This list is just a handful of the Roman Christian Orthodox Cathedrals throughout the country. But no matter where you stay in the country, you will not have to travel far to visit some beautiful churches! If you love visiting impressive churches, check out this page here on some of the most beautiful churches in Romania!
And if this will be your first time to Romania, we highly recommend giving a visit to Bucharest. Bucharest has long been known as “little Paris” for its European feel. Beyond that, Bucharest has many beautiful churches that are definitely worth your time!