Popa Nan Church
About Popa Nan Church
Popa Nan Church, dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helena, the Emperors, stands on Popa Nan Street in Sector 2, in a neighbourhood of low houses. The name comes from the priest Nan, sent by the Metropolitanate of Bucharest in 1719 to found a new parish in the north-east of the city; at the time a small church with a single tower stood on the spot. Today's building is the third on this site: the old one collapsed in 1910, and in the autumn of that year Father Ioan Georgescu laid the foundation of a new church, to plans by the architect Cristofi Cerchez. The work was finished in 1918, and the interior painting was done in 1918–1920.
The church has a cross-shaped plan, with apses, a wide porch and two towers: the large one over the nave and the octagonal bell tower over the pronaos. The plastered façades are divided into two registers by a belt course in relief. The 1977 earthquake brought the large tower down into the interior and badly damaged the painting; the restoration lasted until 1989, when Patriarch Teoctist consecrated the church again.
What you can see
The porch rests on eight columns with capitals decorated with acanthus leaves, joined by semicircular arches, and has painted icons on its walls. In the pronaos, near the entrance, are painted Metropolitan Conon Arămescu-Donici, the priest Ioan Georgescu and the church's donors. The nave is tall and spacious: four large arches support the tower, and the iconostasis is richly carved, with gilded stucco. Today's painting is in fresco, redone after the earthquake.
Good to know
The church is in active use, and the Divine Liturgy is interpreted in sign language for worshippers with hearing impairments. Visits are made between services, in decent dress.
Information verified on 26 October 2026.
- The wide porch, resting on eight columns with acanthus-leaf capitals.
- The two towers: the large one over the nave and the octagonal bell tower over the pronaos.
- The carved iconostasis with gilded stucco, and the fresco painting redone after the 1977 earthquake.
- The painted portraits of the donors in the pronaos, among them Metropolitan Conon Arămescu-Donici and the priest Ioan Georgescu.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the church is on Popa Nan Street, in Sector 2, ~2.5 km (~10 minutes) from University Square; the street is quiet, and you leave the car on the street.
Public transport: the nearest metro station is Piața Iancului (M1), ~1 km on foot; Obor (M1) is ~1.6 km away.
- Where to park
The church has no car park of its own for visitors. You park on Popa Nan Street and the surrounding streets, in the marked zones, where spaces can fill up quickly.
- Rules
This is a working Orthodox church: modest dress (shoulders and knees covered, men bareheaded in the church), quiet, no food or drink. Do not use a flash and do not take photos during services; ask if you are unsure.
- Facilities
open porch · courtyard around the church · Liturgy interpreted in sign language
Frequently asked questions about Popa Nan Church
- How long does a visit to Popa Nan Church take?
- A visit to Popa Nan Church takes about 20 min (the porch and the interior).
- Can you visit Popa Nan Church with kids?
- Yes, Popa Nan Church is suitable for children (quiet place, with a courtyard).
- Where can I park at Popa Nan Church?
- There is paid parking at Popa Nan Church (on the street, in marked zones). The church has no car park of its own for visitors. You park on Popa Nan Street and the surrounding streets, in the marked zones, where spaces can fill up quickly.
- How do I get to Popa Nan Church?
- Popa Nan Church is located at 47A Popa Nan Street, București. By car: the church is on Popa Nan Street, in Sector 2, ~2.5 km (~10 minutes) from University Square; the street is quiet, and you leave the car on the street. Public transport: the nearest metro station is Piața Iancului (M1), ~1 km on foot; Obor (M1) is ~1.6 km away.
- When is the best time to visit Popa Nan Church?
- The best season for Popa Nan Church: All year round (open all year).
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