“Assumption of the Virgin Mary” Church

"Assumption of the Virgin Mary" CHURCH "Assumption of the Virgin Mary", the old bishop's cathedral, was founded in 1649 by Matei Basarab (1632-1654), on the place of an older one, founded by ruler Radu the Great and his descendants, ruined by foreign invasions and it is dedicated to the feast of Assumption of the Virgin Mary (15th August). Over time it has undergone several renovations, required by the destruction caused by earthquakes and other hostilities of time. The painting inside, restored on several occasions, was executed in fresco technique, neoclassical style, by baker Nicolae Teodorescu, head of the school of painters of the Diocese, helped by his nephew from his wife, Gheorghe Tattarescu. The painting on the iconostasis, executed on gold leaf by the same Nicolae Teodorescu, is also extremely valuable. The names of these two "painters" are also linked to the painting of other religious buildings in Buzău area (Rătești, Ciolanu). In fact, Bishop Chesarie (1825-1846) discovered and supported Tattarescu, sending him to school in Italy, at San Luca Academy of Rome. Having become a representative name in Romanian painting, Tattarescu has had more than 50 churches in his portfolio, including Saint Spiridon Nou Church, Zlătari Church, Colțea Church, all in Bucharest, Iași Metropolitanate, Greek Church of Brăila, Holy Friday Church of Ploiești, Ghighiu Monastery Church near Ploiești, the churches of Bistrița Monastery and Cathedral of Archdiocese of Râmnic in Vâlcea County. Together with Theodor Aman he founded the School of Fine Arts of Bucharest in 1864. "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" voivodal cathedral is a cross-shaped building with three towers, traditionally divided into narthex, nave and holy altar. In 2011, a silver shrine with parts of the relics of eight saints was placed in the cathedral: Martyrs Zotic, Atal, Camasie and Filip de la Niculițel, Hierarch Nephon, Patriarch of Constantinople and Metropolitan of Wallachia, Hierarch Teodosie from Brazi Monastery, Pious Stelian Paflagon, Hierarch Iosif cel Nou de la Partoș, Metropolitan of Banat. "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" Church is included in the List of Historical Monuments (BZ-II-m-A-02324.01).