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Brasov - Churches
Black Church (Biserica Neagra)
Black Church is the biggest church between Vienna and Istanbul, having 89m in length. It was built of friable grit stones and andesite arranged in cubic shape. Its first name was Saint Mary's Church but after the great fire from 1689 the church derived its name from its walls being blackened by this fire that destroyed all pieces made of wood, the ancient organ and the bells.
The works began in 1385 under the vicar Thomas Sander on the place of an elder Romanic church dating from the first half of the 13th century. In 1421 it was almost finished but the Turks destroyed the construction. It was inaugurated after almost 100 years, in 1477.
In 1542 under the reformer Johannes Honterus, the German service was introduced in this church.
Being built in Gothic and Renaissance style, the church exhibits the heaviest mobile bell in Romania (6 t), murals in the Italian Renaissance style, a valuable collection of Anatolian carpets from the 17th-18th centuries (donated by the city's merchants on their return from Orient) and an organ, with 4000 pipes, 7 scales and 4 key boards, dated 1839. The organ built in 1836-1839 by master Buchholz (Berlin) is among the greatest in southeastern Europe and renown for its wonderful sound.
But most impressive are the Anatolian carpets of the 17th and 18th century forming the richest collection of this kind in all Europe. Also, very valuable is the red velvet woven with gold threads, covering the saddle, which it is said that belonged to Mihai Viteazul, Wallachian ruler who succeeded to unite for the first time all three Romanian Principalities.
During its history the church was repaired many times, all windows getting a glass that filters ultraviolet rays thus protecting the carpets.
Outside it can be admired the statue of Johannes Honterus (1498-1549) erected in 1898 on the southern side of the church.
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Saint Nicholas Church (Biserica Sf. Nicolae)
Mentioned for the first time in 1292, the church
was rebuilt in stone in 1495 with the main support of the rulers Vlad Calugarul, Neagoe Basarab, Petru Cercel and Constantin Brancoveanu. The church, placed in the oldest part of the city called Scheii Brsovului, in the Union Square, was built in Byzantine style. In 1740 the church was extended toward East by 13m. The church was renovated many times during its history, between 1939-1946 being repaired and endowed with new furniture while the iconostasis was carved and gilded. Costin Petrescu, a great artist, painted the church in the same time.
The First Romanian School was erected in the church's courtyard in 1597 and it was transformed into museum in 1961. Also, in the church's courtyard is buried Nicolae Titulescu, an internationally respected statesman who was twice minister of foreign affairs and president of the League of Nations for two terms.
Saint Bartholomew Church (Biserica Sfantul Bartolomeu)
Placed on the Long Street (Strada Lunga) on the outskirts of Brasov, Saint Bartholomew Church is considered to be the oldest architectural monument in town. Being built in Romanic style with early Gothic elements, the church has a long history for about 800 years. Erected in 1223, it impresses through its silhouette and through its massive surroundings walls. The church, with an ancient atmosphere and surrounded by graves has a simple design, without ornaments, looking like a Roman basilica.
Romanian Orthodox Cathedral (Catedrala Ortodoxa Romana)
Placed in the Sfatului Square, the church was built in one year being finished in 1896. The cathedral has a Byzantine style and it is a perfect copy of the Greek Church in Vienna.
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Roman-Catholic Cathedral (Catedrala Romano-Catolica)
Built in 6 years on the ruins of a basilica, it was finished in 1882. The building, considered to be the most representative building for the Baroque style in Brasov, is a masterpiece of the architect Iosif Carol Lamasch. Placed on the Muresenilor Street, the church has the coat of arms of Transylvania and Brasov.
Other churches: Franciscans's Monastery (Sfintu Ioan Street), Saint Martin Church (Dealu de Jos Street), Orthodox-Greek Church (Baritiu Street).
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