Saint Spyridon the New Church
About Saint Spyridon the New Church
Saint Spyridon the New Church stands on Calea Șerban Vodă, south of Piața Unirii, close to Metropolitan Hill. The name distinguishes it from Saint Spyridon the Old Church, in Piața Națiunilor Unite. A princely monastery once stood on the same spot, raised in 1766–1768 by the princes Scarlat and Alexandru Ghica and left in ruins by earthquakes and fires. The present church was built in 1852–1858 by the Great Epitropy, with the consent of Prince Barbu Știrbei, to plans by the architect Xavier Villacrosse, and consecrated on 8 November 1860 by Metropolitan Nifon. Since 1954 it has served as a patriarchal chapel, and since 2012 it has held the rank of metropolitan cathedral; it is a category A historic monument (LMI code B-II-m-A-19750).
It has a central dome and two towers on the façade, and measures 41 m in length, 14 m in width and 38 m in height. The style is eclectic, with Neo-Gothic, Romanesque, Byzantine and Romanian elements, and the white façades are decorated with coloured bands, rosettes and arches.
What you can see
The mural painting and the iconostasis, made of linden and fir wood with carved ornaments, are the work of the painter Gheorghe Tattarescu. The pillars and columns are clad in marble stucco, and the stained-glass windows with biblical scenes and saints were ordered from Vienna. The gilded pulpit, with an eagle, and the three balconies added in 1954 can be seen in the nave. A fragment of the relics of Saint Spyridon has been kept here for veneration since 1987, after the demolition of the Saint Spyridon the Old Church, and on the right side of the pronaos the princes Scarlat Ghica, Constantin Hangerli and Alexandru Șuțu are buried.
Good to know
The church is in active use, with services every day; visits are made outside services, in decent dress. The patronal feast is celebrated on 12 December.
Information verified on 26 October 2026.
- The façade with two towers and the central dome, decorated with coloured bands and rosettes.
- The carved iconostasis of linden and fir wood, painted by Gheorghe Tattarescu.
- The stained-glass windows with biblical scenes and saints, ordered from Vienna.
- The pillars clad in marble stucco and the gilded pulpit with an eagle.
- The fragment of the relics of Saint Spyridon, kept for veneration in the church.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the church is at 29 Calea Șerban Vodă, south of Piața Unirii, in central Bucharest, with heavy traffic; the simplest is to leave the car in a car park in the area and walk.
Public transport: the nearest metro station is Piața Unirii (M1, M2 and M3), ~600 m on foot. The Patriarchal Cathedral, on Metropolitan Hill, is ~500 m away.
- Where to park
The church has no car park of its own for visitors. On the surrounding streets and around Piața Unirii you park in the paid zones (parking meter or app), where spaces 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
steps at the entrance · cafés, restaurants and toilets around Piața Unirii, nearby · good mobile signal
Frequently asked questions about Saint Spyridon the New Church
- How long does a visit to Saint Spyridon the New Church take?
- A visit to Saint Spyridon the New Church takes about 30 min (the interior and the grounds).
- Can you visit Saint Spyridon the New Church with kids?
- Yes, Saint Spyridon the New Church is suitable for children (quiet place, no play area).
- Where can I park at Saint Spyridon the New Church?
- There is paid parking at Saint Spyridon the New Church (central area, paid zone). The church has no car park of its own for visitors. On the surrounding streets and around Piața Unirii you park in the paid zones (parking meter or app), where spaces fill up quickly.
- How do I get to Saint Spyridon the New Church?
- Saint Spyridon the New Church is located at 29 Calea Șerban Vodă, București. By car: the church is at 29 Calea Șerban Vodă, south of Piața Unirii, in central Bucharest, with heavy traffic; the simplest is to leave the car in a car park in the area and walk. Public transport: the nearest metro station is Piața Unirii (M1, M2 and M3), ~600 m on foot. The Patriarchal Cathedral, on Metropolitan Hill, is ~500 m away.
- When is the best time to visit Saint Spyridon the New Church?
- The best season for Saint Spyridon the New Church: All year round (open all year).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Saint Spyridon the New Church, sorted by distance.
0 km from Saint Spyridon the New Church
1 km from Saint Spyridon the New Church
1 km from Saint Spyridon the New Church
