Church of Amza

About

Amzei Church (Romanian: Biserica Amzei) is a Romanian Orthodox church located at 12 Biserica Amzei Street in Bucharest, Romania. It is dedicated to the Feast of the Annunciation. The original church on the site, a small single-domed structure dedicated to Saint Nicholas, was built between 1807 and 1810.

The chief ktetor was the deputy Vistier (treasurer) of Wallachia, Amza Năescu; following his death, the church was nicknamed after him. A list of people to be prayed for (pomelnic) survives, carved in elegant Romanian Cyrillic; it was originally in the altar table and is now in the yard. Prior to 1832, the church was surrounded by cells where a school with two grades for beginners functioned.

An 1846 fire destroyed the church; an ample restoration followed. During repairs in 1875, two domes of wood and tin were added. Also that year, a neoclassical stone fountain, partly sculpted, was built on the grounds, near the parish house.

The old church was entirely demolished in 1898, on the initiative of the priest. Construction of the present structure, designed by Alexandru Săvulescu, began in July 1898 and was completed in October 1901, as the pisanie records. The imposing cross-shaped church...