Initially a wooden structure the Biserica Sfântul Nicolae – Negustori near Piața Rosetti has a long and fascinating history. Built in the 17th century it was first mentioned in 1665. Documents from 1671 refer to it as the Merchants’ Church. Sadly this early church was destroyed in a devastating fire in February 1718. This fire ravaged the heart of Bucharest. Three years later construction began on a new church. This new stone church was completed in 1726. An inscription above the main entrance reveals this date. It also tells of the church’s rebuilding after the fire. The inscription however doesn’t name the founders. Historians believe that the founders were the merchants who lived nearby. This is how the church and the Negustori neighborhood got their names. Many of these merchants were buried within the church’s grounds. This is documented by the historian Nicolae Iorga.
The Biserica Sfântul Nicolae – Negustori wasn’t immune to the ravages of time. Major renovations were needed after earthquakes in 1802 and 1838. Starting in 1839 the wealthy merchant Manuil Serghiadi oversaw repairs and partial restoration. This included the dome large windows and the painting. Further renovations took place around 1870. The old shingles were replaced with tiles. A second tower was also added. In 1881 the church was beautified thanks to donations from Bucharest’s mayor Emanoil Pake Protopopescu. His father had served as a priest at the church. Unfortunately much of Pârvu Mutu’s original frescoes were covered during this renovation. They were replaced by new paintings by another great Romanian artist Gheorghe Tattarescu.
The Biserica Sfântul Nicolae – Negustori needed further repairs in the 20th century. Early renovations occurred under Patriarch Miron Cristea between 1924 and 1930. These works restored the church to its former glory. Gheorghe Tattarescu’s paintings were restored by Paul Molda. Minor repairs followed in 1942. These aimed to fix cracks caused by the 1940 earthquake. Subsequent earthquakes in 1977 1986 and 1990 weakened the structure. Significant consolidation work finally happened in 2002. This was thanks to donations from Constantin Henri Rătescu and his wife. The church’s structure was reinforced with concrete. The facades were re-plastered and painted white. The domes were also repainted.
A significant discovery occurred during extensive restoration work in 2016. While restoring the paintings restorer Romeo Andronic uncovered Pârvu Mutu’s original frescoes under Tattarescu’s work. The Ministry of Culture approved the unveiling of this long-hidden masterpiece. This is exceptionally important. It is now the largest known surface area of painting by this renowned artist. The Biserica Sfântul Nicolae – Negustori stands as a testament to faith resilience and artistic beauty. It is a listed historical monument. It’s a place where history art and faith intertwine. It is a must-see for any visitor to Bucharest.