Tradition whispers a tale of swift creation. The St. Nicholas in-a-Day Church. It stands here on Academiei Street. Its history is as captivating as its architecture.
Welcome to Biserica Ortodoxă Sfântul Nicolae. This church carries a nickname hinting at its miraculous construction. Some say it was built in a single day. Others believe it was finished within a year. Both stories add to its mystique.
The original church was a humble wooden structure. It was erected in the early 17th century by Postelnic Neagoe. In 1673, the church and its surrounding properties became a dowry. Marica, a descendant of the founder, received it upon marrying Constantin Brâncoveanu. He would later become Prince.
In 1702, Marica relocated the wooden church. She then commissioned the construction of the current edifice. Ianache Văcărescu served as Ispravnic overseeing the project. During the 18th century, the barbers’ guild owned it. The church complex included four cells enclosed by walls. These cells were later demolished between 1848 and 1918.
In the early 19th century, the church transformed into a chapel. It served the princely residence on Podul Mogoșoaiei. Prince Ioan Caragea ordered a covered footbridge. This connected his residence directly to the church. This allowed him to easily access the church from his upper-floor residence. A doorway was created by breaking through the south wall. Although the hole was later filled, its trace remains visible today. The footbridge stood until around 1840.
A fire in 1825 damaged the roof. Grigore IV Ghica initiated repairs lasting until 1827. The church was repainted and the metal roof replaced with tiles. He thus became another ktetor or founder.
By 1909, the church had fallen into disrepair. Repairs were undertaken between 1914 and 1915. In 1915, city authorities considered demolishing it. This threat led to its designation as a historic monument that same year. Further restoration work occurred in 1958 and from 2005 onwards.
Patriarch Daniel reconsecrated the church on April 29 2012. This event marked its 310th anniversary. It also celebrated the completion of recent restoration efforts.
The nave-shaped church measures approximately 26 meters in length and 8.5 meters in width. Its facade reaches a height of 9.3 meters. A portico and a bell tower adorn the narthex. There are no side apses. The altar apse is slightly detached. It features a polygonal exterior and a semicircular interior.
The portico boasts three frontal arches. It also has two pairs of side arches. These rest upon massive brick columns without capitals. Since 1915, glass and walls have enclosed the area. Originally, three columns separated the narthex from the nave. These columns were removed after 1825.
The wooden bell tower rises 19.2 meters. It sits on a square base. The original tower suffered damage during the fire. Its current form dates back to 1915-1916. The rectangular nave features a spherical ceiling.
The partially deteriorated icon of Saint Nicholas. It dates back to 1702. It is placed above the entrance. A brick string course divides the facades into two nearly equal sections. This string course resembles saw teeth. Both the upper and lower facades are adorned with arches.
Between 1911 and 1947, the Albanian Orthodox community used the church. Fan Noli even served as parish priest for a time.
The St. Nicholas in-a-Day Church stands as a testament. It is a testament to faith, resilience, and architectural beauty. Its story continues to resonate. It echoes through the centuries. Its walls have witnessed both destruction and renewal. It remains a cherished landmark in Bucharest.