Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate
About Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate
In the heart of Brașov's old town, on Piața Sfatului, a façade of exposed red and yellow brick with an octagonal tower hides the Orthodox church of the Dormition of the Mother of God, also known as the church in Cetate. Until after Emperor Joseph II's edict of toleration of 1781, Orthodox believers had no right to live or build inside the Saxon citadel. In 1829 only a small chapel with the same patron saint was consecrated here, set up in a room in the courtyard.
The present church was built on the initiative of the priest Bartolomeu Baiulescu: the foundation stone was laid on 9 June 1895, and the church was consecrated on 18 June 1899 by Metropolitan Ioan Mețianu. The plans are by the architect G. Bruss, modelled on the Greek Orthodox church in Vienna. It is built in the Neo-Byzantine style, with a central dome and a bell tower, and measures about 27 m in length and 12 m in width.
From Piața Sfatului you see only the parish house, with its octagonal tower, damaged by the 1940 earthquake and rebuilt in 1973 together with the whole façade.
What you can see
The church itself stands in the courtyard, behind the parish house, and is reached through a corridor from the square. Inside, the carved and gilded iconostasis, the pulpit, the bishop's throne and the choir galleries are the work of the sculptor János Kupcsay, director of the sculpture school in Brașov, while the icons of the iconostasis were painted by Hans Bulhardi in 1898. The interior paintings are by Anastase Demian, from 1937, and were restored in 1965–1966, in 1985 and in 2005.
Good to know
The church is an active parish, not a museum: during services, visit quietly.
- The Neo-Byzantine façade of exposed red and yellow brick, with an octagonal tower, on Piața Sfatului.
- János Kupcsay's carved and gilded iconostasis.
- Anastase Demian's interior paintings from 1937.
- The corridor leading from the square into the church courtyard.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Brașov is ~185 km from Bucharest on the DN1 (~3 hours) and ~140 km from Sibiu on the DN1 (~2.5 hours). Piața Sfatului is pedestrianised: leave the car in a car park nearby.
On foot: the church is right on Piața Sfatului. From Brașov railway station it is ~3.7 km (~50 minutes on foot, ~6 minutes by car to the centre).
- Where to park
Piața Sfatului is pedestrianised and parking in the historic centre is paid; the easiest option is to leave the car in a public car park nearby and walk.
- Rules
Modest dress, as in any Orthodox church: shoulders and knees covered. During services, do not walk around the church.
Frequently asked questions about Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate
How long does a visit to Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate take?
A visit to Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate takes about 20 min (church and entrance corridor).
Where can I park at Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate?
There is paid parking at Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate (paid car parks in the centre). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate?
Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate is located at Piața Sfatului 3, Brașov, Brașov County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate?
The best season for Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Cetate: All year round (all year; feast day on 15 August).
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