The “Saint Anthony” Church at Curtea Veche in Bucharest is considered the oldest surviving church in Romania’s capital. Built more than 500 years ago, it was initially the size of a chapel and was the fourth sanctuary where the rulers of Wallachia offered their prayers. All the other churches around the Royal Court have disappeared over time, but Saint Anthony’s Church has withstood earthquakes and fires, becoming a landmark of Romanian history and religion.

The church’s founder was Mircea Ciobanul, and later rulers Șerban and Ștefan Cantacuzino made modifications. The stone columns with bas-relief, preserved to this day, come from the old entrance gates of the church. The church once had two separate entrances—one for women and one for men—and it witnessed the prayers of great rulers such as Michael the Brave, Matei Basarab, Șerban Cantacuzino, Constantin Brâncoveanu, Nicolae Mavrogheni, and Alexandru Ghica. Writer Silvia Colfescu emphasizes: “This church had a structure that connected it directly to the throne hall. It was the church where all the great patriarchs were received and was part of the Old Court, being the oldest functional relic preserved.”

Calamities and the survival of the church

The church survived seven fires and several earthquakes since the 1700s, the great fire of 1847 severely affecting the center of Bucharest. It is said the fire started from a child’s play and consumed four-fifths of the city. Although the prison church that housed the icon of Saint Anthony the Great was destroyed, the icon was recovered and moved to Saint Anthony’s Church, eventually being regarded as miraculous. To this day, it attracts dozens of believers every Tuesday.

Saint Anthony, an Egyptian hermit, is considered the father of monasticism, devoting his life to God after the age of 25. The mystery of the church’s survival may be seen either as a miracle or explained scientifically, but it remains a symbol of continuity and spiritual resilience in the heart of medieval Bucharest.

Alterations and restorations over time

The first significant modification took place during the reign of Ștefan Cantacuzino (1714–1716). The porch was enclosed with walls, enlarging the church, and both the frescoes and the iconostasis were restored. In the 19th century, after the princely residence moved to Mihai Vodă Monastery and the 1847 fire, the church was affected, but the icon of Saint Anthony was brought here, gaining the role of spiritual protector.

Between 1928 and 1935, architect Horia Teodora, under the supervision of Nicolae Iorga, led a major restoration, bringing the church back to almost its original appearance. Neo-Gothic additions were removed, and the base, buttresses, roof, and tower were restored. A new bell tower and two parish buildings completed the ensemble. After the 1977 earthquake, the tower and bell tower were consolidated, and the interior frescoes painted by Virginia Videa in 1852 were restored.

Since 2007, under the guidance of parish priest Gheorghe Zaharia, extensive restoration work has been carried out: the frescoes, iconostasis, and exterior were redone, and in 2008 the church received the status of Patriarchal Chapel. In 2017, a fragment of the relics of Saint Anthony the Great, brought from France, was placed permanently for veneration in the church.

The church today, a testimony of tradition and faith

Today, the “Saint Anthony” Church at Curtea Veche is a place of spiritual peace in the bustling center of Bucharest. It stands as witness to the philanthropy and faith of the rulers who restored and preserved it for future generations. The parish museum holds valuable items, including an icon of the Holy Trinity and a eucharistic vessel donated by Constantin Brâncoveanu, proving the church’s historical and religious continuity.

The icon and relics of Saint Anthony the Great still attract believers every day, keeping alive the tradition and spiritual connection to the past. Father Gheorghe Zaharia emphasizes that “any gift received from our ancestors must be preserved and passed on to future generations.” Thus, the church remains not only a historical monument but also a symbol of religion, faith, and continuity in the heart of the Capital, inviting visitors to discover an authentic fragment of Bucharest’s medieval spiritual past.