Zlătari Church
About Zlătari Church
Zlătari Church stands at 12D Calea Victoriei, between Stavropoleos and Lipscani streets, close to the National Museum of Romanian History. The name comes from the zlătari, the gold- and silversmiths for whom, according to tradition, a wooden church was raised in the 17th century; a church here is mentioned in documents in 1667, and in 1705 it was rebuilt with the help of the spătar Mihail Cantacuzino. The Zlătari Inn that surrounded the church was demolished in 1903, when Calea Victoriei was widened.
After the earthquakes of 1802 and 1838, the church was rebuilt from the foundations starting in 1850, to plans by the architect Xavier Villacrosse; the Greek-language inscription dates from 1860. The interior was painted in 1853–1856 by Gheorghe Tattarescu. The domes, damaged by the 1940 earthquake, took their present form in 1971–1973. A cycle of restorations begun in 2008, with consolidation, cleaning of the paintings and restoration of the iconostasis, ended with the consecration service of 16 June 2024.
The church has two patron feasts: the Nativity of the Mother of God (8 September) and the Holy Martyrs Cyprian and Justina (2 October).
What you can see
The church has a single nave, with a large dome at the centre and four smaller, octagonal domes at the corners of the nave. The exterior is simply plastered and decorated with belt courses, cornices and arches of red brick; the open porch rests on stone columns. Inside, Tattarescu's oil painting sets out biblical scenes in large panels, and the iconostasis is of carved, gilded wood, with icons covered in silver. In front of the altar is the reliquary with the right hand of Saint Cyprian, kept here since 1790, and in a niche of the nave stands an icon of the Mother of God, described as wonder-working, set out for veneration.
Good to know
The church is in active use, with services every day; visits are made between services, in decent dress. The porch is entered up a few steps from Calea Victoriei.
Information verified on 26 October 2026.
- Gheorghe Tattarescu's oil painting of 1853–1856, with biblical scenes in large panels.
- The iconostasis of carved, gilded wood, with icons covered in silver.
- The reliquary with the right hand of Saint Cyprian, in front of the altar.
- The open porch on stone columns, with red-brick arches.
- The five octagonal domes, rebuilt in 1971–1973.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the church is on Calea Victoriei, in the Old Town area, with heavy traffic and narrow streets around it; the simplest is to leave the car in a nearby car park and walk.
Public transport: the nearest metro station is Universitate (M2), ~700 m on foot; Piața Unirii (M1, M2, M3) is ~900 m away. From Gara de Nord you can come by metro or by taxi/app.
- Where to park
The church has no car park of its own for visitors. In the Lipscani area and on the surrounding streets 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
open porch · cafés, restaurants and toilets in the Lipscani area, nearby · good mobile signal
Frequently asked questions about Zlătari Church
- What are the opening hours of Zlătari Church?
- Opening hours at Zlătari Church: daily 08:00 – 20:00. Open daily, 8:00–20:00. On Sundays matins begins at 8:30 and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00. On weekdays confessions are heard from 9:00 to 12:00, and at 17:00 an akathist or a paraklesis is read.
- How long does a visit to Zlătari Church take?
- A visit to Zlătari Church takes about 20 min (the porch and the interior).
- Can you visit Zlătari Church with kids?
- Yes, Zlătari Church is suitable for children (quiet place, no play area).
- Where can I park at Zlătari Church?
- There is paid parking at Zlătari Church (central area, paid zone). The church has no car park of its own for visitors. In the Lipscani area and on the surrounding streets you park in the paid zones (parking meter or app), where spaces fill up quickly.
- How do I get to Zlătari Church?
- Zlătari Church is located at 12D Calea Victoriei, București. By car: the church is on Calea Victoriei, in the Old Town area, with heavy traffic and narrow streets around it; the simplest is to leave the car in a nearby car park and walk. Public transport: the nearest metro station is Universitate (M2), ~700 m on foot; Piața Unirii (M1, M2, M3) is ~900 m away. From Gara de Nord you can come by metro or by taxi/app.
- When is the best time to visit Zlătari Church?
- The best season for Zlătari Church: All year round (open all year).
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