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All Romania Densuș Densuș Church

Densuș Church

One of the oldest churches in Romania is believed to have been built on the site of a pagan temple.

Densuș, Romania

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The Church of St. Nicholas in Densuș is among the oldest and most unusual sacred buildings in Romania, and almost certainly the country's oldest still-used Orthodox church.

It likely dates from the 13th Century, although the original structure on that site may have been built much earlier. Since no written documentation of its founding survives, its exact age is disputed. Theories about the structure's origins abound, including that it was built on the site of a pagan temple, or served as a mausoleum for a Roman general. The Late Romanesque construction is curiously piecemeal, giving the impression that it was built in several stages, also incorporating stone from the nearby ruins of Roman Sarmizegetusa (Ulpia Traiana).

The 15th Century interior murals were recently renovated with the help of the Ambassador Michael Guest and the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest.

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Churches Ancient Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

Turn right in the middle of Totești, 10 km southwest of Hațeg. Once in Densuș, follow the sign to "Biserica Sf. Nicolae."

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Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights

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Nick S

Edited By

kostas1964ath, EricGrundhauser, s108h4n

  • kostas1964ath
  • EricGrundhauser
  • s108h4n

Published

August 8, 2014

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Sources
  • http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/other-monasteries/densus
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Densu%C8%99_Church
Densuș Church
DJ687G
Densuș, 337205
Romania
45.582459, 22.805361
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Nearby Places

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miles away

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