The Church of Saint Nicholas was built between 1730 and 1740, and resembled a shabby hut half dug into the ground, commonly known as the Hood on the Hill. Initially it was used by sailors coming to pray to Saint Nicholas. In 1830 a new church was sanctified in the presence of the Wallachian Prince Alexandru Ghita and the Serbian Prince Miloš Obrenović. In 1861 it was renovated and expanded. The church was visited by King Carol I a number of times, mainly during the 1877-1878 war, because of which it became known as the Cathedral of Independence. Destroyed at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, it was entirely rebuilt of brick between 1899 and 1906, when it took on its present appearance. Subsequently, it was sanctified in 1910. It was later hit in the bombings during the Second World War and the earthquake of 4 March 1977. Church painting took place in the period 1909-1910, using a mixed technique.
St. Nicolas Church, Calafat
Trip Facts
- 43.995593 / 43°59’44” N – 22.931678 / 22°55’54” E
- 25 Traian Str., Calafat
- E79 / DN 56, then DN 56D, Traian Street, in the center of Calafat
- Not required
- 112
