# Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

[Romania](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/attractions) › [Muntenia](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/region/muntenia) › [București](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/city/bucuresti)

> A stone church built in 1636 by Matei Basarab, hidden among the blocks beside Bulevardul Națiunile Unite, with a columned porch, two towers and an inscription of 1715 by Ștefan Cantacuzino.

**At a glance:** Churches in București. The visit takes 20 min. Information verified on 26 October 2026.

## Key facts

- **Visit duration:** 20 min — the porch and the church
- **With kids:** Yes — quiet place, no play area
- **Parking:** Yes, paid — on the surrounding streets, paid
- **Best season:** All year round — visible all year
- **Address:** 1 Strada Sfinții Apostoli, Sector 5, București
- **Coordinates:** 44.42945, 26.09422
- **Phone:** +40 723 639 171
- **Website:** https://www.parohia-sfintii-apostoli.ro/
- **Wikipedia:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Apostles,_Bucharest
- **Wikidata:** https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q26257224
- **Categories:** [Churches](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/biserici), [Monuments and historic sites](https://peplaiuri.ro/en/monumente-si-situri-istorice)

## About Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul stands on Strada Sfinții Apostoli, in the Izvor area, hidden behind the blocks on Bulevardul Națiunile Unite. In the past it belonged to a monastic complex known as the Târnovo Monastery or the Archimandrite's Monastery. The first church was of wood, and in 1636 the prince Matei Basarab replaced it with a stone one, the one that can still be seen today.

In 1715, Ștefan Cantacuzino added the bell tower above the pronaos, the porch and the carved door frame, and the church was painted anew. The earthquakes of 1802 and 1838 damaged it, and its masonry tower was replaced by a wooden one. In 1936 it was restored, with the towers rebuilt in masonry. When the Piața Unirii area was being redesigned, the church was due to be moved, but the plan was not carried out after 1989. Between 2007 and 2014 the interior painting, the iconostasis and the exterior were restored.

The plan is trefoil-shaped, with walls 1.4–1.8 m thick, one tower above the nave and a bell tower above the pronaos.

### What you can see

The large, square porch has three unequal arches to the west and two on each side, resting on stone columns with floral capitals. The carved stone portal frames the inscription of 1715, with the coat of arms of Wallachia and the double-headed eagle of the Cantacuzino family, and the arch is decorated with two angels with outspread wings. Beside the church are the parish house and a small garden.

### Good to know

The church is in active use; visits are made outside services, in decent dress. It is not easy to spot from the boulevard: the entrance is from Strada Sfinții Apostoli.

## Don't miss

- The square porch, with three arches to the west, on stone columns with floral capitals.
- The carved stone portal with the inscription of 1715, bearing the coat of arms of Wallachia and the double-headed eagle of the Cantacuzino family.
- The two towers, one above the nave and one above the pronaos, with large windows and stacked arcading.
- An old church hidden among the blocks of Bulevardul Națiunile Unite, with the parish house and garden beside it.

## Good to know before you go

### Getting there

**By car:** the church is on Strada Sfinții Apostoli, ~800 m from Piața Unirii, in the Izvor area, behind the blocks on Bulevardul Națiunile Unite; the surrounding streets are narrow and spaces are hard to find.

**Public transport:** the nearest metro station is Izvor, ~700 m on foot; Piața Unirii 1 is ~900 m away. From Gara de Nord you can get there by metro or by taxi/app.

### Where to park

The church has no car park of its own for visitors. On the surrounding streets you park in the paid zones (parking meter or app).

### 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 not sure.

### Facilities

open porch · steps at the entrance · cafés, restaurants and toilets around Piața Unirii, nearby · good mobile signal

## Details

- **Construction period:** 1636
- **Founder:** Matei Basarab
- **Dedication:** the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
- **Denomination:** Orthodox
- **Historical period:** medieval

## Frequently asked questions about Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

**How long does a visit to Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul take?**

A visit to Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul takes about 20 min (the porch and the church).

**Can you visit Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul with kids?**

Yes, Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is suitable for children (quiet place, no play area).

**Where can I park at Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul?**

There is paid parking at Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (on the surrounding streets, paid). The church has no car park of its own for visitors. On the surrounding streets you park in the paid zones (parking meter or app).

**How do I get to Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul?**

Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is located at 1 Strada Sfinții Apostoli, Sector 5, București. By car: the church is on Strada Sfinții Apostoli, ~800 m from Piața Unirii, in the Izvor area, behind the blocks on Bulevardul Națiunile Unite; the surrounding streets are narrow and spaces are hard to find. Public transport: the nearest metro station is Izvor, ~700 m on foot; Piața Unirii 1 is ~900 m away. From Gara de Nord you can get there by metro or by taxi/app.

**When is the best time to visit Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul?**

The best season for Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul: All year round (visible all year).

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Last updated: 26 October 2026
Source: Pe Plaiuri (https://peplaiuri.ro/en) — Guide to tourist attractions in Romania