About People's Salvation Cathedral
At a glance: Monasteries and churches in București. Ticket: Free. The visit takes ½ – 1 hours. Information verified on 9 October 2026.
On Arsenal Hill, behind the Palace of the Parliament, stands the largest Orthodox church in Romania, officially also called the National Cathedral. The idea of a "cathedral of the nation's salvation" dates back to the late nineteenth century, but work began only in 2010, after a competition won by the firm Vanel Exim of Bacău. The main dedication is the Ascension of the Lord, the secondary one Saint Andrew the Apostle, patron of Romania. The building has a cross-shaped plan and a Neo-Byzantine style, with Moldavian, Brâncovenesc and Transylvanian influences, and from ground level to the top of the cross it reaches about 127 m.
The present state needs to be stated plainly: the cathedral is not yet finished. The altar was consecrated on 25 November 2018, and the church painting, in mosaic technique, was consecrated on 26 October 2025 by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and Patriarch Daniel. Interior works and installations continue, and completion of the whole complex is announced for 2027–2028. For this reason the cathedral has no daily visiting schedule, only opening periods announced by the Patriarchate.
What you can see
The exterior can be seen from Calea 13 Septembrie and from the esplanade: white walls, six small towers around the central tower, gilded domes and a bell tower. The largest bell, cast in Innsbruck in 2016, weighs over 25 tonnes and has a diameter of 3.35 m. Inside, the nave is covered almost entirely by golden mosaics, with Christ Pantocrator in the central dome, and below the altar lies a patriarchal necropolis. After the consecration of the painting, more than 315,000 people queued to pray in the Holy Altar, which was open to the public between 26 October and 5 November 2025.
Good to know
After the openings of November and December 2025 (6–14 November, 2 December and 24 December–8 January), the cathedral was closed from 9 January 2026 for interior works; we found no official announcement reopening it. Daily services are held at the Cathedral's Paraclis, nearby, and at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Metropolitan Hill. We found no official information about an open museum or a viewing platform in the tower.
- The 127 m silhouette, with the central tower, gilded domes and six small towers, seen from the esplanade and from across the civic centre.
- The mosaics inside, with Christ Pantocrator in the central dome, during the announced openings.
- The bell of over 25 tonnes, cast in Innsbruck in 2016.
- The view towards the Palace of the Parliament, on the same axis of Calea 13 Septembrie.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the cathedral is in the centre of Bucharest, on Calea 13 Septembrie, right next to the Palace of the Parliament. From Piața Constituției it is a few minutes' drive; the area is crowded on opening days.
Public transport: the nearest metro station is Izvor (M1, M3), a few minutes' walk; buses and trams also stop nearby on Calea 13 Septembrie and Splaiul Independenței. From Piața Unirii it is about a 20–25 minute walk.
- Where to park
There is no car park dedicated to visitors. Park on the surrounding streets, in paid zones, or in the car parks around the Palace of the Parliament. For the public openings, public transport is recommended, since the area gets crowded.
- Fees & discounts
Entry during the openings announced by the Patriarchate was free; we found no ticket price for visiting. We have no official information on a museum or tower tickets.
- Rules
This is a place of worship: modest dress (shoulders and knees covered, men bareheaded), quiet, no food or drink. During public openings you pass security checks and follow the staff's instructions; check the official website for the photography rules.
- Facilities
wide esplanade in front · on opening days, security checks and an organised queue · the Cathedral's Paraclis nearby · cafés and restaurants around Izvor and in the centre · good mobile signal
Frequently asked questions about People's Salvation Cathedral
- How much is a ticket to People's Salvation Cathedral?
- Admission to People's Salvation Cathedral is free. Entry during the openings announced by the Patriarchate was free; we found no ticket price for visiting. We have no official information on a museum or tower tickets.
- How long does a visit to People's Salvation Cathedral take?
- A visit to People's Salvation Cathedral takes about ½ – 1 hours (estimate, excluding opening-day queues).
- Can you visit People's Salvation Cathedral with kids?
- Yes, People's Salvation Cathedral is suitable for children (long queues on opening days).
- Where can I park at People's Salvation Cathedral?
- There is paid parking at People's Salvation Cathedral (paid car parks around). There is no car park dedicated to visitors. Park on the surrounding streets, in paid zones, or in the car parks around the Palace of the Parliament. For the public openings, public transport is recommended, since the area gets crowded.
- How do I get to People's Salvation Cathedral?
- People's Salvation Cathedral is located at Calea 13 Septembrie, Arsenal Hill, next to the Palace of the Parliament, București. By car: the cathedral is in the centre of Bucharest, on Calea 13 Septembrie, right next to the Palace of the Parliament. From Piața Constituției it is a few minutes' drive; the area is crowded on opening days. Public transport: the nearest metro station is Izvor (M1, M3), a few minutes' walk; buses and trams also stop nearby on Calea 13 Septembrie and Splaiul Independenței. From Piața Unirii it is about a 20–25 minute walk.
- When is the best time to visit People's Salvation Cathedral?
- The best season for People's Salvation Cathedral: All year round (interior only when open).
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