Imagine Carol Benisch arriving in Bucharest. He was a Silesian architect ready to make his mark. You might ask, “Who was Carol Benisch?” He was an architect of Historicism and Eclecticism. He established himself in the Kingdom of Romania.
Carol Benisch was born on January 9 1822 in Jägerndorf which is now Krnov in the Czech Republic. He died on October 30 1896 in Bucharest. His name appears in different documents as Carl Benesch or Carol Beneș.
Benisch studied architecture in Vienna. Prince Nicolae Bibescu-Brâncoveanu asked him to Wallachia shortly after his graduation. There he became an architect in Bucharest. In 1865 he became Chief Architect of the City of Bucharest.
Carol Benisch left a significant architectural legacy. He designed and reconstructed many notable buildings. These include Peleș Castle and St. Joseph’s Cathedral. He also worked on the Brâncovenesc Hospital. Additionally, he reconstructed Tismana Monastery and Bistrița Monastery.
Recognizing his contributions, Pope Leo XIII awarded Benisch the Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great in 1881. King Carol I of Romania granted him Romanian citizenship. This was in recognition of his service.
Carol Benisch was also the first vice-president of The Architects Society in Romania from 1891 to 1892. He was buried in the Catholic wing of the Bellu cemetery in Bucharest. His impact on Romanian architecture is still felt today. Casa Carol Benisch stands as a testament to his vision.