Scaune Church

About

The Scaune Church (Romanian: Biserica Scaune) is a Romanian Orthodox church located at 2 Scaune Street in Bucharest, Romania. It is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God and to the Nativity of Mary. The pisanie indicates the presence of a wooden church in 1611, and a list of priests in the parish archive begins with that year.

The first documentary mention dates to 1669, with additional records later in the 17th century. The name derives from the surrounding district, and refers to the wooden slabs on which butchers cut meat. In its first two centuries, it was also known as Măcelarilor (Butchers’) and Săpunarilor (Soap makers’).

The present church is located on the same site; the pisanie records that it was completed in 1705. A merchant willed funds for the purpose, which were granted by his nephew. In 1843, the portico arches were enclosed in masonry, while the exterior was plastered and repainted.

It was repaired again in 1878, and once more in 1915, when it lay in ruins. The church was closed from around 1908 to 1939. At that point, repairs started under architect Ștefan Balș-Lupu, who opened the arches and tiled the roof.

In 1944, the surrounding soil was cleared away...