Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi)
About Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi)
The Church of the Holy Archangels (Biserica Sfinții Voievozi), dedicated to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, stands on Victory Square (Piața Victoriei) in the centre of Târgu Jiu. It is a cross-shaped church with two towers, built between 1748 and 1764 by the merchants Dobre Sîrbu and Radu Cupetu, whose portraits are painted in the pronaos. For this reason it is also called the Merchants' Church; other sources know it as the Princely Church, and the press sometimes calls it the "Cathedral of the Holy Archangels".
The paintings have passed through several hands. In 1843 the iconostasis was painted with the support of Pavel Kisseleff, and in 1855 the old Byzantine-style painting was covered with one in the Renaissance style by Mișu Popp. During the restoration of 1933–1940 the painter Iosif Keber redid the exterior frescoes of philosophers, prophets and sibyls. In 1960 the church was closed and turned into a museum; after 1989 it was returned to worship, and services resumed in the 1990s. It is a listed historic monument.
What you can see
It is seen best from the square: two white towers with dark domes above a nave with a pitched roof. On the entrance side an open porch with white columns leads in, and on the exterior walls, in tall arches, ancient sages are painted with their names written above them (among them Socrates and Solon), alongside prophets and sibyls. The rounded apse, with icons in arches, is best seen from the east.
Good to know
The church is an active parish, not a museum: during services, visit quietly. The patronal feast is held on 8 November, the feast of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
Information verified on 28 October 2026.
- The exterior frescoes in the tall arches, with ancient sages (Socrates, Solon), prophets and sibyls.
- The porch with white columns on the entrance side.
- The two white towers with dark domes, seen from Victory Square.
- The rounded apse with icons painted in arches, seen from the east.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Târgu Jiu is ~108 km from Craiova (~2 hours 10 minutes, via Filiași, then on the European road E79), ~57 km from Petroșani on the E79 through the Jiu Gorge (~1 hour 40 minutes) and ~112 km from Râmnicu Vâlcea on the DN67 (~2 hours 20 minutes). The church is on Victory Square in the town centre, ~300 m from the Gate of the Kiss, ~650 m from the Table of Silence, ~1.2 km from the Church of the Holy Apostles and ~1.6 km from the Endless Column.
Public transport: the town is served by trains (the Craiova – Petroșani line) and by intercity buses; from the centre the church is reached on foot.
- Where to park
There is on-street parking around the square and in the town-centre streets, generally paid. The Gate of the Kiss and the Central Park are a few minutes' walk from the church.
- Rules
Modest dress, as in any Orthodox church: shoulders and knees covered. During services, do not walk around the church or take photos without the priest's permission.
Frequently asked questions about Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi)
How long does a visit to Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi) take?
A visit to Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi) takes about 20 min (the church and the surrounding square).
Can you visit Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi) with kids?
Yes, Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi) is suitable for children (room to stroll in the square).
Where can I park at Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi)?
There is paid parking at Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi) (in the town-centre streets). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi)?
Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi) is located at Victory Square, Târgu Jiu, Gorj County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi)?
The best season for Church of the Holy Archangels (Sfinții Voievozi): All year round (all year; feast day on 8 November).
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