Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal)
About Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal)
The Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity, known to Cluj residents as the Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal), is the first Orthodox church in Cluj and a Baroque historic monument. The city's Orthodox community, which included many Romanian, Greek and Aromanian merchants, asked for permission to build a church as early as 1788; approval from Vienna came in 1790, and the land was bought a short distance from the walls of the fortress, on Hajongard hill. Building took from 1795 to 1796, with help from Romanians in Brașov and Wallachia, and the first liturgy was celebrated at Christmas 1796.
Between 1921 and 1933 the church was the cathedral of the Diocese of Vad, Feleac and Cluj, until the new cathedral opened. In the interwar years the parish house in the courtyard hosted the literary circle of Victor Papilian, which Lucian Blaga also attended.
What you can see
The church is small: it is ~19 m long and ~9 m wide, with a bell tower of ~19 m. The porch is separated from the nave by three arches, and the massive corner pilasters, set at 45°, turn the nave into an octagonal space, typical of the Baroque, covered by a Bohemian cap vault. The iconostasis was painted in 1796 by the deacon Constantin Zugravul (the Painter) from Șcheii Brașovului; the mural painting inside is recent. Around the church lies a courtyard with an old Orthodox cemetery, with crosses and stone funerary monuments. The building has been repaired several times, most recently between 2003 and 2010.
Good to know
The church belongs to the Orthodox parish of the Holy Trinity and is in use, so visiting takes account of services.
- Cluj's first Orthodox church, built in 1795–1796.
- The octagonal nave, with corner pilasters at 45° and a Bohemian cap vault.
- The iconostasis painted in 1796 by the deacon Constantin Zugravul.
- The ~19 m bell tower above the west entrance.
- The courtyard with the old Orthodox cemetery and its funerary monuments.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the church is on Strada Bisericii Ortodoxe, south of the historic centre, ~1.5 km from Union Square (Piața Unirii, ~4 minutes) and ~3.6 km from Cluj-Napoca railway station (~7 minutes).
On foot: it is ~650 m from Union Square (~10 minutes) and ~2.7 km from the railway station (~35 minutes).
- Rules
This is a working church: keep quiet and dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered); services take priority over visits. Photography inside is done with the agreement of the priest or the church attendant. Animals are not allowed.
Frequently asked questions about Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal)
How long does a visit to Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal) take?
A visit to Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal) takes about 30 min (the interior and the courtyard).
Can you visit Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal) with kids?
Yes, Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal) is suitable for children (short, quiet visit).
How do I get to Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal)?
Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal) is located at Strada Bisericii Ortodoxe 10, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal)?
The best season for Holy Trinity Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal): All year round (all year).
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