Curtea de Argeș Cathedral

The Cathedral of Curtea de Argeș (early 16th century) is a Romanian Orthodox cathedral in Curtea de Argeș, Romania. It is located on the grounds of the Curtea de Argeș Monastery, and is dedicated to Dormition of the Mother of God. The building is the seat of the Archdiocese of Argeș and Muscel.

Curtea de Argeș Cathedral
Catedrala Curtea de Argeș
Religion
AffiliationRomanian Orthodox Church
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusCathedral
PatronDormition of the Mother of God[1][2] (15 August)
Year consecrated1517 (original) 1886 (following the last restoration)
StatusActive
Location
LocationCurtea de Argeș, Argeș County, Romania
Geographic coordinates45°9′25″N 24°40′31″E
Architecture
Architect(s)André Lecomte du Noüy
Nicolae Gabrielescu
Typechurch
StyleByzantine
FounderNeagoe Basarab
Groundbreaking1512
Completed1517
Specifications
Length30 m
Width10 m
Height (max)30 m

The cathedral is faced with pale grey limestone, which was easily chiselled then hardened on exposure. The interior is of brick, plastered and decorated with frescoes. Nearby on the grounds stands the large Neo-Romanian style Royal Palace built in late 19th century.[3]

Architecture
Back view
The aghiasmatar (holy water basin) pavilion in front of the Cathedral

The building resembles a very large and elaborate mausoleum, and was built in the Byzantine architectural style, with arabesques. The cathedral sits upon a raised platform, 7 ft (2.1 m) above the surrounding grade, and encircled by a stone balustrade. In shape the structure is oblong, with a many-sided annex at the back. A dome rises in the center, fronted by two smaller twisting and leaning cupolas, while a secondary dome, broader and loftier than the central one, springs from the annex. Each summit is crowned by an inverted pear-shaped stone, bearing a triple cross, emblematic of the Trinity.[3]

The windows are mere slits; those of the tambours (the cylinders on which the cupolas rest) are curved and slant at an angle of 70 degrees, as though the tambours were leaning to one side.[3]

Between the pediment and the cornice a thick corded moulding is carried round the main building. Above this comes a row of circular shields, adorned with intricate arabesques, while bands and wreaths of lilies are everywhere sculptured on the windows, balconies, tambours and cornices, adding lightness to the fabric.[3]

Facing the main entrance is a small open shrine, consisting of a cornice and dome upheld by four pillars.[3]

Inscriptions

The archives of the cathedral were plundered by Hungarian and Ottoman troops, but several inscriptions, Greek, Slavic, and Romanian, are left.[3]

One tablet records that the founders were Prince Neagoe Basarab (1512–1521) and his wife Milica Despina of Wallachia; another that Prince, Radu de la Afumati completed the work in 1526; a third describes the repairs executed in 1681 by Prince Șerban Cantacuzino; a fourth, the restoration, in 1804, by Joseph, the first bishop. Between 1875 and 1885 the cathedral was reconstructed, and in 1886 it was reconsecrated.[4]

Legends

Legends of Curtea de Argeș have inspired many Romanian poets, among them the celebrated Vasile Alecsandri. One traditional legend describes how Neagoe Basarab, while a hostage in Constantinople, designed a splendid mosque for the sultan, returning to build the cathedral out of the surplus materials.[5]

Manole legend

A legend tells of Radu Negru employing a Meşterul Manole or Manoli as architect. With Manole being unable to finish the walls, the prince threatened him and his assistants with death. At last Manole suggested that they should follow the ancient custom of placing a living woman into the foundations; and that she who first appeared on the following morning should be the victim. The other masons warned their families, and Manole was forced to sacrifice his own wife. Thus the cathedral was built.[5]

When Manole and his masons told the prince that they could always build an even greater building, Radu Negru had them stranded on the roof so that they could not build something to match it. They fashioned wooden wings and tried to fly off the roof, but, one by one, they all fell to the ground. A spring of clear water, named after Manole, is said to mark the spot where he fell.[5]

This motif is widespread in South-East Europe, most notably also in Russia, like the blinding of the Masons of Saint Basil's Cathedral by Ivan the Terrible.

Burials

On 16 December 2017, former king Michael I was buried here with a state funeral, his remains joining those of his wife Anne, who had died in 2016.[6] Those attending the funeral included Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia, Juan Carlos I of Spain and Queen Sofia, Charles, Prince of Wales,[7] Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz of Belgium.[8][9]

The remains of Helen, the mother of King Michael, were returned to Romania from the Bois-de-Vaux Cemetery in Switzerland on 18 October 2019. They were interred in the cathedral on 19 October.[10]

  • 1880 photo
    1880 photo

References
  1. Gheorghescu, Chesarie. "Manastirea Curtea de Arges" [Arges Monastery]. Orthodox Christian (in Romanian). Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  2. "Manastirea Curtea de Arges" [Arges Monastery]. Romanian Monasteries (in Romanian). Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  3. Chisholm 1911, p. 650.
  4. Chisholm 1911, pp. 650–651.
  5. Chisholm 1911, p. 651.
  6. Thorpe, Nick (9 December 2017). "King Michael: Romanians unite to mourn their last monarch". BBC News.
  7. "Romanian crowds and European royals turn out for King's funeral". Times of Malta. 16 December 2017.
  8. "European royals come to Romania for King Michael's funeral". Romania Insider.com. 12 December 2017.
  9. Mutler, Alison (16 December 2017). "Romanians Pay Their Respects During King Michael's Funeral". Time. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  10. "Remains of Queen Mother Helen brought back to Romania". Romania Insider.com. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
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