Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria
Alexandria, Teleorman County · Muntenia
About Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria
At a glance: Monasteries and churches in Alexandria, Teleorman County. Ticket: Free. The visit takes 30 min. Information verified on 10 October 2026.
In the centre of Alexandria, beside the Central Park and the Town Hall, rises the cathedral of Saint Alexander, the largest religious building in the town founded in 1834. The site was first occupied by a wooden church with the same dedication, raised by the first inhabitants in 1835–1836. When it grew too small, the town community decided in 1855 to build a brick one. Work began in 1869, to plans by the architect C. Aninoșanu and the town engineer Alexandru Maxențian, but stood idle for decades for lack of money and resumed only in 1895, to plans drawn up in 1891 by Ion N. Socolescu. The church was consecrated on 6 December 1898 by Metropolitan Iosif Gheorghian, in the presence of the Minister of Religious Affairs, Spiru Haret.
The building is cross-shaped, with a large tower over the nave and two smaller ones over the narthex, an open porch with four stone columns with Corinthian capitals, and white facades with decoration in shades of blue. It is 42 metres long, 26 wide and 45 high, and about a million bricks went into its walls, which are two metres thick at the base. The style is Neo-Byzantine with Romanesque elements. In 1996 the parish church became the episcopal cathedral of the Diocese of Alexandria and Teleorman.
What you can see
The interior was painted in 1898, in five months, by the team of Ștefan Luchian, Constantin Artachino and Constantin Pascaly, in the Byzantine style; the exterior medallions foreseen in the contract were never executed. The 10-metre iconostasis of gilded lime wood, the hierarchical thrones and the 24 stalls date from 1896, as do the stained-glass windows made in Bucharest by Rudolf Ziegler. The gilded bronze chandeliers were brought from Vienna, and the floor has a floral mosaic by the Italian Leonardo Donato. Since 1994 the narthex has held the sarcophagus of Prince Alexandru Dimitrie Ghica, who officially recognised the town in 1840.
Good to know
The cathedral was damaged by the earthquakes of 1940 and 1977, and its painting has been restored three times. Since May 2026 Teleorman County, in partnership with the monastery, has been running a European-funded project to restore and showcase the monument, due to run until 2029, which provides for restoring the painting, landscaping the grounds and architectural lighting. We found no information about the church closing or about which part of the work is under way, so check on the spot or with the diocese. It is a working church: services take priority.
- The interior painting of 1898 by Ștefan Luchian, Constantin Artachino and Constantin Pascaly, completed in only five months.
- The 10-metre iconostasis of gilded lime wood, carved in 1896.
- The open porch with four stone columns with Corinthian capitals and the paintings of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
- The sarcophagus of Prince Alexandru Dimitrie Ghica in the narthex, brought here in 1994.
- The 21 stained-glass windows of 1896 and the floral floor mosaic made in the autumn of 1898.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the cathedral is in the centre of Alexandria, on Strada Independenței, next to the Central Park and the Town Hall. From Bucharest it is ~90 km on national roads (about 1 hour 30 minutes).
Public transport: Alexandria is linked to Bucharest and the towns of Teleorman by intercity buses and minibuses; check timetables beforehand. From anywhere in the centre the cathedral is a few minutes' walk.
- Rules
It is a working church: modest dress (shoulders and knees covered, men's heads uncovered), quiet inside, respect for services. Photograph inside discreetly and without flash, and ask permission during services. Do not touch the sacred objects or the sarcophagus.
Frequently asked questions about Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria
- How much is a ticket to Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria?
- Admission to Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria is free (entry to the church is free).
- How long does a visit to Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria take?
- A visit to Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria takes about 30 min (interior and porch).
- Can you visit Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria with kids?
- Yes, Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria is suitable for children (modest dress and quiet).
- How do I get to Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria?
- Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria is located at Strada Independenței, Alexandria, Teleorman County. By car: the cathedral is in the centre of Alexandria, on Strada Independenței, next to the Central Park and the Town Hall. From Bucharest it is ~90 km on national roads (about 1 hour 30 minutes). Public transport: Alexandria is linked to Bucharest and the towns of Teleorman by intercity buses and minibuses; check timetables beforehand. From anywhere in the centre the cathedral is a few minutes' walk.
- When is the best time to visit Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria?
- The best season for Cathedral of Saint Alexander in Alexandria: All year round (all year).
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