Patriarchal Cathedral

The Patriarchal Cathedral, founded by voivode Constantin Șerban Basarab and his wife, Bălașa, between 1654-1658, is one of the oldest places of worship in the country dedicated to Saints Emperors Constantine and Helena. It has mural painting in the Neo-Byzantine style. In 1925, when the Romanian Orthodox Church was elevated to the rank of Patriarchate, the metropolitan residence became the patriarchal residence. The church was restored several times, in 1792-1799, 1834-1839, 1850, 1886, 1932-1935, which is why at present the building no longer preserves its original form, various additions and adjustments having been made to it over time. The church houses the relics of Saint Dimitrie Basarabov, brought from Bulgaria in 1774 by Metropolitan Grigorie II (1760-1787). On the right side of the narthex are the tombs of the patriarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church: Miron Cristea, Nicodim and Justin Moisescu. In the Patriarchal Cathedral there are:

1. The bell tower built by Constantin Brancoveanu in 1698.
2. The Patriarchal Palace
3. The chapel of the Patriarchal Palace and the Patriarchal Residence
4. The ensemble called "Troita", made up of three stone crosses: the largest is considered to be that of ruler Petru Cercel, and the other two are one from 1617 and another from 1644