Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest
About Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest
On a small hill in the heart of Bucharest, a few steps from the Palace of the Parliament, stands the main church of the Romanian Patriarchate, dedicated to the Holy Emperors Constantine and Helena. It was raised between 1654 and 1658 by Prince Constantin Șerban Basarab and his wife Bălașa, and consecrated in 1658 by Patriarch Macarius of Antioch. In 1668, by the charter of 8 June issued by Prince Radu Leon, the monastery here became a metropolitan residence, and since 1925, when the Romanian Orthodox Church was raised to the rank of patriarchate, the church has been the patriarchal cathedral.
The plan follows the church of Curtea de Argeș Monastery, but on a larger scale, with three towers rising over the nave and the pronaos. Over the centuries the cathedral was repaired and rebuilt several times: in 1792–1799, in 1834–1839, in 1932–1935 and in 1960–1962, when it was given back its old appearance. The most recent restoration, in 2008, strengthened the towers and the nave, renewed the plaster and the roof, and the church was reconsecrated on 26 October 2008.
What you can see
On the façade of the porch, in the upper register, 26 mosaic icons were set in place in 2008, and above the entrance the icon of Saints Constantine and Helena, painted in 1665, has survived. Inside, the neo-Byzantine mural painting is by Dimitrie Belizarie, done in 1932–1935, and the imperial icons in enamel are the work of Otilia Oteteleșanu, from 1961–1964. The silver reliquary with the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, brought here in 1774, stands in the church and is venerated every day. On the right side of the pronaos are the tombs of Patriarchs Miron Cristea, Nicodim Munteanu, Justin Moisescu and Teoctist Arăpașu.
In the courtyard you can also see the other buildings on the hill: the bell tower built in 1698 by Constantin Brâncoveanu and restored in 1956–1958, the Patriarchal Chapel and Residence, and, in front of the cathedral, the Patriarchate Palace, raised in 1907 to the plans of Dimitrie Maimarolu as the seat of the Chamber of Deputies and handed over to the Patriarchate in 1996.
Good to know
This is the church of a working cathedral, with services every day, and visits are made between services, in quiet. The feast of Saint Demetrius the New, on 27 October, brings many pilgrims, and the courtyard and the church get crowded on those days.
Information verified on 25 October 2026.
- The silver reliquary with the relics of Saint Demetrius the New, brought in 1774.
- Dimitrie Belizarie's neo-Byzantine painting and the gilded iconostasis.
- The 26 mosaic icons in the upper register of the porch.
- The tombs of Patriarchs Miron Cristea, Nicodim, Justin and Teoctist.
- The Brâncoveanu bell tower from 1698, in the courtyard on the hill.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Bucharest is ~80 km from Ploiești, ~120 km from Pitești and ~185 km from Brașov. The cathedral is on Metropolitan Hill, in the city centre, a few hundred metres from Piața Unirii; car access to the hill is limited, so the simplest is to leave the car nearby and walk up.
Public transport: the nearest metro station is Piața Unirii (lines M1 and M3), ~600 m on foot. The North Station is ~3 km away (metro or taxi/app), and from Henri Coandă Airport (~17 km) you can take the train or a bus towards the centre, then walk.
- Where to park
Around Metropolitan Hill you park on the surrounding streets, in the paid zones (parking meter or app), or in the car parks in the centre. Spaces fill up quickly at weekends and on feast days; the simplest is to arrive on foot or by metro.
- Fees & discounts
Entry is free.
- Rules
This is a working cathedral: 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
church shop with candles · courtyard with bell tower · steps at the entrance · cafés, restaurants and toilets in the centre, a few steps away · good mobile signal
Frequently asked questions about Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest
- How much is a ticket to Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest?
- Admission to Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest is free. Entry is free.
- What are the opening hours of Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest?
- Opening hours at Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest: daily 07:00 – 20:00. Open daily, 7:00–20:00. Services: on Mondays and Fridays the midnight office at 7:00, matins at 7:45 and the Divine Liturgy at 9:00; on Saturdays the Liturgy at 9:00 and vespers with the litia between 16:00 and 18:00; on Sundays matins with the Canons of the Resurrection at 7:45 and the Liturgy between 9:30 and 12:00; on weekdays, between 16:00 and 18:00, vespers and a paraclesis.
- How long does a visit to Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest take?
- A visit to Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest takes about 30 min (church and courtyard; estimate).
- Can you visit Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest with kids?
- Yes, Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest is suitable for children (quiet during services).
- Where can I park at Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest?
- There is paid parking at Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest (city centre, paid zone). Around Metropolitan Hill you park on the surrounding streets, in the paid zones (parking meter or app), or in the car parks in the centre. Spaces fill up quickly at weekends and on feast days; the simplest is to arrive on foot or by metro.
- How do I get to Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest?
- Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest is located at 21 Dealul Mitropoliei, București. By car: Bucharest is ~80 km from Ploiești, ~120 km from Pitești and ~185 km from Brașov. The cathedral is on Metropolitan Hill, in the city centre, a few hundred metres from Piața Unirii; car access to the hill is limited, so the simplest is to leave the car nearby and walk up. Public transport: the nearest metro station is Piața Unirii (lines M1 and M3), ~600 m on foot. The North Station is ~3 km away (metro or taxi/app), and from Henri Coandă Airport (~17 km) you can take the train or a bus towards the centre, then walk.
- When is the best time to visit Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest?
- The best season for Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest: All year round (busy on 27 Oct.).
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