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Saint Nicholas Princely Church

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107:, while passing through the city, noted the church's "height and grandeur". His description reveals that it had already been modified since Stephen's time: there was a stone bell tower above the entrance. Given the Russian traveler's mention, it is also likely that the church was painted on the exterior during the 16th century. Over the course of the following centuries, other modifications took place: the separating wall between nave and vestibule was replaced by two large stone pillars; and a large foyer was added, twice the size of the church, with a northern and a southern entrance. Two altars were set up in the area, probably during the 18th century, to Saints Barbara and Stephen. Other outbuildings were erected in the churchyard, bounded by a stone wall from the princely court. 100:, suggesting a date of 1493. The building is one of Stephen's city churches: large, tall, with a spire, side apses and an enlarged vestibule. The facade was of unworked stone, with buttresses that reached two-thirds of the walls' height. The exterior was decorated with two rows of recesses, as well as rows of enameled, colored terra-cotta discs representing people and animals. The apses were endowed with large arches. The church was in a trefoil plan, with semicircular apses on the exterior as well as the interior. The walls of the interior were painted and there was a single spire, with an angular roof. A wall separated the nave from the vestibule. 363: 399: 266: 242: 254: 387: 116: 63: 20: 375: 143:. As no documents mention the structure until 1786, another hypothesis suggests a date from the later part of the 18th century. This was the position taken by the historians' committee that opted for demolition in 1890. The church was hit by fire in 1725, 1753, 1784, 1822, 1827 and 1853, and by an earthquake in 1814, as well as being affected by normal wear and tear. In 1703–1705, it was repaired by Ana, the wife of Prince 297:
vertical sweep and eliminating the buttresses, thus giving the whole a much more sleek appearance. The exterior walls, above the stone base, were decorated with panels of visible brick and with traditional Moldavian elements such as rows of niches, discs of glazed and colored ceramic and large recesses.
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took Dosoftei with him to Poland in 1686, he brought all the church's precious objects and clothing. Donors would constantly replenish the collection, which was fairly complete according to an 1803 inventory. When it was restored, all the church's remaining objects were divided among the city's other
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After 1880, serious discussions about a restoration began. The building was in a very poor condition, particularly the added foyer, made of carved stone and irregularly-shaped boulders, the wooden ties of which had rotted. The limestone had oxidized and burst during fires, while the entire structure
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spent a week in Iași in July 1672 while on the way to Poland, the church was used as a mosque and then remained closed until Ruset's renovation. Unusually, from the late 18th century, the church had three altars (some sources speak of two chapels), where the liturgy was officiated in three languages
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Reconstruction began in 1888, with a view toward a final form that expressed the artistic ideals of Stephen's era. From the annexes, only a nearby wall fragment surrounding the church was left standing. Lecomte du Nouÿ returned to the church's initial plan, placing the walls and the spire in one
305:, then in the Gothic hall of Trei Ierarhi before probably ending up in a museum. The new painting was done by three French artists in a neo-Byzantine style that deviates from the previous iconographic layout. Notable are the idealized portrait of the first founder, Stephen and the second, King 206:
and by Metropolitan Nechifor, was reorganized by Iacov, eventually becoming among Moldavia's most renowned. It lasted until the early 19th century as among the few institutions where Romanian was the language of instruction; pupils were taught writing, reading, grammar and liturgical music.
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and others asked that this instead be rehabilitated, but the committee on historic monuments ultimately decided that only Stephen's original church should be restored. Moreover, Lecomte du Nouÿ agreed with complete demolition due to the degraded condition of the masonry.
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drew inspiration from the project. The church was blessed in October 1904, during national celebrations marking 400 years since Stephen's death. For the 1906 Bucharest jubilee, it was reproduced in its entirety as a symbol of Carol's achievements.
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The interior, including the iconostasis, furniture and painting, was completely redone. Fragments of 17th-century painting that depicted Ruset, Duca and their families were saved; for a time, they were kept in the
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during the 1884 restoration. The church was the scene of welcoming ceremonies for princes who entered Iași in order to take up the throne, and many of them were anointed there during a ceremony described by
139:, that the interior painting was finished. Many historians believe that Ruset added the large foyer, particularly as he prepared his own grave there. A minority believe it is older, likely from the time of 870: 353: 1269: 170:. So it remained until another metropolitan see was built in 1695. While the chronicles indicate Ruset prepared his grave here, he died poor in Constantinople, and Prince 92:, who observed that 1491 is inscribed on the dedication above the entrance. The date of completion is also written there and has largely been read as 1492, including by 860: 662: 1254: 1259: 1215: 362: 174:
was placed in his crypt for a time. Others were subsequently buried there, very likely members of the princely families; several graves were removed from the
227:(Romanian, Greek and Slavonic). By the time the restoration was agreed upon, it had five dedications: Saints Nicholas, Barbara, Stephen, Mina and Catherine. 494: 340:
Although subject to criticism, the idealized reconstruction became a prototype for other monuments built or restored over the coming years. For example,
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from 1681 to 1686. However, after Dosoftei was taken to Poland, the printing press petered out and the next one was not set up until the time of
183:. The great religious feasts of the year were also celebrated in the church for the benefit of the royal court. The final anointment was that of 880: 265: 241: 253: 1264: 875: 163: 895: 953: 190:
The church is associated with the activity of Dosoftei, who ran a printing press there. One of the works he put out was a renowned
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churches. This is how two 18th-century bells, repaired in 1817, ended up first in the cathedral yard and then behind
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showed earthquake damage. The corners, particularly on the south face, showed enormous cracks. The French architect
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The church was endowed with books, vestments and furniture that gradually disappeared. For example, when
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A document of March 1677 indicates that Antonie Ruset had decided, together with Metropolitan
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Today, the church functions as a chapel of Trei Ierarhi. It is listed as a
288:. Operations began in 1884, when the 18th-century addition was demolished. 503: 159: 507: 175: 167: 123:
Over time, the church suffered serious damage, so that in 1677, Prince
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in the allegorical figures surrounding the king and in the children.
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ordered repairs and improvements; this is attested by chroniclers
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was selected to lead the restoration work, assisted by
202:. The school from the Saint Nicholas Church, begun by 321:; and the three children the couple had at the time: 96:. Another opinion sides with the earlier reading by 1183: 1152: 1111: 1095: 992: 909: 871:
Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy
848: 731: 585: 514: 876:Ion Ionescu de la Brad University of Life Sciences 162:, to turn the church into a second seat for the 465:Lista Monumentelor Istorice 2010: Județul Iași 42:church located at 65 Anastasie Panu Street in 488: 8: 678:Museum of the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University 495: 481: 473: 88:, the date is incorrect, and was fixed by 1270:Churches established by Stephen the Great 866:George Enescu National University of Arts 354:Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs 452:at the Iași County Cultural Office site 415: 368:Cross on the former Saint Barbara altar 358: 237: 1170:Nicolina International Railway Station 309:. The latter is shown with his queen, 441: 439: 16:Heritage site in Iași County, Romania 7: 861:Gheorghe Asachi Technical University 437: 435: 433: 431: 429: 427: 425: 423: 421: 419: 886:Gheorghe Asachi Iași County Library 1255:Romanian Orthodox churches in Iași 82:in 1485. While he named the right 14: 1260:Historic monuments in Iași County 919:Alexandru Dimitrie Xenopol Statue 608:George Topîrceanu Memorial House 404:Large bell, kept at Trei Ierarhi 397: 385: 373: 361: 264: 252: 240: 74:, the church was established by 36:Biserica Sfântul Nicolae Domnesc 653:Mihail Sadoveanu Memorial House 603:Ethnographic Museum of Moldavia 856:Alexandru Ioan Cuza University 818:Saint Nicholas Princely Church 703:Poni-Cernătescu Memorial House 663:Moldova Philharmonic Orchestra 151:undertook repairs in 1758 and 66:Dedication from Stephen's time 28:Saint Nicholas Princely Church 23:Saint Nicholas Princely Church 1: 713:Science and Technology Museum 693:Otilia Cazimir Memorial House 643:Mihai Codreanu Memorial House 356:, as are the wall fragments. 222:It appears that when Sultan 155:during his 1812-1819 reign. 929:Attacking Cavalryman Statue 688:Nicolae Gane Memorial House 1286: 1265:Churches completed in 1904 1160:Iași International Airport 959:Mihail Kogălniceanu Statue 944:Grigore III Ghica Monument 924:Alexandru Ioan Cuza Statue 881:Central University Library 813:Old Metropolitan Cathedral 537:Cantacuzino-Pașcanu Palace 303:Old Metropolitan Cathedral 1103:Emil Alexandrescu Stadium 896:Costache Negruzzi College 658:Moldavia's History Museum 204:Constantine Mavrocordatos 1067:Repedea Hill Fossil Site 979:Vasile Alecsandri Statue 969:Stephen the Great Statue 380:Exterior painting detail 70:According to chronicler 1165:Central Railway Station 1124:Felicia Shopping Centre 708:Romanian National Opera 668:Jewish Community Museum 185:Grigore Alexandru Ghica 1027:Eminescu's Linden Tree 939:Gheorghe Asachi Statue 901:Mihai Eminescu College 838:Trei Ierarhi Monastery 808:Old Catholic Cathedral 803:Metropolitan Cathedral 683:Natural History Museum 577:Roset-Roznovanu Palace 552:Grigore Sturdza Palace 217:Trei Ierarhi Monastery 149:Ioan Teodor Callimachi 120: 98:Melchisedec Ștefănescu 67: 35: 24: 1231:47.15884°N 27.58736°E 1042:Mihai Eminescu Square 1012:Central Market Square 954:Mihai Eminescu Statue 828:Saint Spiridon Church 648:Mihai Eminescu Museum 618:Iași National Theatre 342:Nicolae Ghica-Budești 282:André Lecomte du Nouÿ 118: 65: 50:. It is dedicated to 22: 623:Ion Creangă Bojdeuca 448:Cătălina Mihalache, 271:Carol and his family 247:Carol-era dedication 166:, alongside that in 141:Alexandru Lăpușneanu 1227: /  1037:Independence Square 964:Miron Costin Statue 949:Independence Statue 823:Saint Sabbas Church 638:Metropolitan Museum 562:Mihai Sturza Palace 557:Metropolitan Palace 290:Mihail Kogălniceanu 286:Nicolae Gabrielescu 259:Portrait of Stephen 192:Lives of the Saints 187:, in October 1849. 172:Constantin Cantemir 164:Moldavia Metropolis 111:17th-19th centuries 105:Trifon Korobeynikov 80:Battle of Cătlăbuga 1236:47.15884; 27.58736 1087:Voievozilor Square 993:Parks, squares and 984:Voievodes Statuary 778:Frumoasa Monastery 773:Cetățuia Monastery 748:Aroneanu Monastery 628:Luceafărul Theatre 547:Grand Hotel Traian 307:Carol I of Romania 153:Scarlat Callimachi 121: 68: 25: 1210: 1209: 1203: 1196: 1186: 1119:Era Shopping Park 1082:University Square 1047:Odd Poplars Alley 1002:Bârnova Lime Tree 995:natural landmarks 798:Hlincea Monastery 763:Bârnova Monastery 753:Barnovschi Church 572:Palace of Culture 527:Braunstein Palace 350:historic monument 311:Elisabeth of Wied 212:John III Sobieski 200:current cathedral 181:Dimitrie Cantemir 76:Stephen the Great 40:Romanian Orthodox 1277: 1242: 1241: 1239: 1238: 1237: 1232: 1228: 1225: 1224: 1223: 1220: 1199: 1192: 1184: 1007:Botanical Garden 891:National College 833:Socola Monastery 783:Galata Monastery 768:Bucium Monastery 758:Bărboi Monastery 673:Municipal Museum 567:Neuschotz Palace 532:Calimachi Palace 497: 490: 483: 474: 467: 463: 459: 453: 447: 443: 401: 389: 377: 365: 335:Romanian costume 268: 256: 244: 90:Axinte Uricariul 1285: 1284: 1280: 1279: 1278: 1276: 1275: 1274: 1245: 1244: 1235: 1233: 1229: 1226: 1221: 1218: 1216: 1214: 1213: 1211: 1206: 1179: 1148: 1107: 1091: 1062:Podu Roș Square 1032:Exhibition Park 994: 988: 934:Dosoftei Statue 911: 905: 844: 793:Great Synagogue 788:Golia Monastery 743:Armenian Church 735: 733: 727: 581: 510: 501: 471: 470: 461: 460: 456: 445: 444: 417: 412: 405: 402: 393: 390: 381: 378: 369: 366: 313:; Crown Prince 277: 276: 275: 272: 269: 260: 257: 248: 245: 233: 196:Iacov Putneanul 113: 60: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1283: 1281: 1273: 1272: 1267: 1262: 1257: 1247: 1246: 1208: 1207: 1205: 1204: 1197: 1189: 1187: 1181: 1180: 1178: 1177: 1172: 1167: 1162: 1156: 1154: 1153:Infrastructure 1150: 1149: 1147: 1146: 1141: 1139:Moldova Center 1136: 1131: 1126: 1121: 1115: 1113: 1109: 1108: 1106: 1105: 1099: 1097: 1093: 1092: 1090: 1089: 1084: 1079: 1074: 1072:Theatre Square 1069: 1064: 1059: 1054: 1049: 1044: 1039: 1034: 1029: 1024: 1019: 1014: 1009: 1004: 998: 996: 990: 989: 987: 986: 981: 976: 974:Union Monument 971: 966: 961: 956: 951: 946: 941: 936: 931: 926: 921: 915: 913: 907: 906: 904: 903: 898: 893: 888: 883: 878: 873: 868: 863: 858: 852: 850: 846: 845: 843: 842: 840: 835: 830: 825: 820: 815: 810: 805: 800: 795: 790: 785: 780: 775: 770: 765: 760: 755: 750: 745: 739: 737: 736:and synagogues 729: 728: 726: 725: 720: 718:Theatre Museum 715: 710: 705: 700: 695: 690: 685: 680: 675: 670: 665: 660: 655: 650: 645: 640: 635: 630: 625: 620: 615: 613:Iași Athenaeum 610: 605: 600: 598:Dosoftei House 595: 589: 587: 583: 582: 580: 579: 574: 569: 564: 559: 554: 549: 544: 539: 534: 529: 524: 518: 516: 512: 511: 502: 500: 499: 492: 485: 477: 469: 468: 454: 414: 413: 411: 408: 407: 406: 403: 396: 394: 391: 384: 382: 379: 372: 370: 367: 360: 274: 273: 270: 263: 261: 258: 251: 249: 246: 239: 236: 235: 234: 232: 229: 145:Mihai Racoviță 129:Nicolae Costin 112: 109: 72:Grigore Ureche 59: 56: 52:Saint Nicholas 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1282: 1271: 1268: 1266: 1263: 1261: 1258: 1256: 1253: 1252: 1250: 1243: 1240: 1202: 1201:Media in Iași 1198: 1195: 1191: 1190: 1188: 1182: 1176: 1173: 1171: 1168: 1166: 1163: 1161: 1158: 1157: 1155: 1151: 1145: 1142: 1140: 1137: 1135: 1132: 1130: 1129:Hala Centrală 1127: 1125: 1122: 1120: 1117: 1116: 1114: 1110: 1104: 1101: 1100: 1098: 1096:Sports venues 1094: 1088: 1085: 1083: 1080: 1078: 1075: 1073: 1070: 1068: 1065: 1063: 1060: 1058: 1055: 1053: 1052:Palace Square 1050: 1048: 1045: 1043: 1040: 1038: 1035: 1033: 1030: 1028: 1025: 1023: 1022:Copou Gardens 1020: 1018: 1015: 1013: 1010: 1008: 1005: 1003: 1000: 999: 997: 991: 985: 982: 980: 977: 975: 972: 970: 967: 965: 962: 960: 957: 955: 952: 950: 947: 945: 942: 940: 937: 935: 932: 930: 927: 925: 922: 920: 917: 916: 914: 912:and monuments 908: 902: 899: 897: 894: 892: 889: 887: 884: 882: 879: 877: 874: 872: 869: 867: 864: 862: 859: 857: 854: 853: 851: 847: 841: 839: 836: 834: 831: 829: 826: 824: 821: 819: 816: 814: 811: 809: 806: 804: 801: 799: 796: 794: 791: 789: 786: 784: 781: 779: 776: 774: 771: 769: 766: 764: 761: 759: 756: 754: 751: 749: 746: 744: 741: 740: 738: 730: 724: 721: 719: 716: 714: 711: 709: 706: 704: 701: 699: 696: 694: 691: 689: 686: 684: 681: 679: 676: 674: 671: 669: 666: 664: 661: 659: 656: 654: 651: 649: 646: 644: 641: 639: 636: 634: 633:Ludic Theatre 631: 629: 626: 624: 621: 619: 616: 614: 611: 609: 606: 604: 601: 599: 596: 594: 591: 590: 588: 584: 578: 575: 573: 570: 568: 565: 563: 560: 558: 555: 553: 550: 548: 545: 543: 540: 538: 535: 533: 530: 528: 525: 523: 520: 519: 517: 513: 509: 505: 498: 493: 491: 486: 484: 479: 478: 475: 466: 462:(in Romanian) 458: 455: 451: 446:(in Romanian) 442: 440: 438: 436: 434: 432: 430: 428: 426: 424: 422: 420: 416: 409: 400: 395: 388: 383: 376: 371: 364: 359: 357: 355: 352:by Romania's 351: 346: 343: 338: 336: 332: 328: 324: 320: 317:and his wife 316: 312: 308: 304: 298: 294: 291: 287: 283: 267: 262: 255: 250: 243: 238: 230: 228: 225: 220: 218: 213: 208: 205: 201: 197: 193: 188: 186: 182: 177: 173: 169: 165: 161: 156: 154: 150: 146: 142: 138: 134: 130: 126: 125:Antonie Ruset 119:Wall remnants 117: 110: 108: 106: 101: 99: 95: 94:Nicolae Iorga 91: 87: 86: 81: 77: 73: 64: 57: 55: 53: 49: 45: 41: 37: 33: 29: 21: 1212: 1077:Union Square 1057:Palas Garden 817: 732:Monasteries, 723:Union Museum 457: 347: 339: 299: 295: 278: 221: 209: 191: 189: 157: 137:George Ducas 122: 102: 83: 69: 27: 26: 1234: / 1194:Attractions 1134:Iulius Mall 849:Educational 698:Pogor House 542:Cuza Palace 231:Restoration 133:Ion Neculce 1249:Categories 1222:27°35′14″E 1219:47°09′32″N 1144:Palas Mall 1017:Ciric Park 593:Art Museum 522:Balș House 515:Historical 78:after the 504:Landmarks 327:Elisabeth 315:Ferdinand 224:Mehmed IV 147:; Prince 103:In 1593, 1175:CTP Iași 1112:Shopping 734:churches 586:Cultural 392:Entrance 331:Mărioara 160:Dosoftei 32:Romanian 1185:By type 910:Statues 450:History 176:narthex 168:Suceava 58:Origins 48:Romania 38:) is a 85:ktitor 410:Notes 323:Carol 319:Marie 508:Iași 329:and 44:Iași 506:in 1251:: 418:^ 325:, 219:. 131:, 54:. 46:, 34:: 496:e 489:t 482:v 30:(

Index


Romanian
Romanian Orthodox
Iași
Romania
Saint Nicholas

Grigore Ureche
Stephen the Great
Battle of Cătlăbuga
ktitor
Axinte Uricariul
Nicolae Iorga
Melchisedec Ștefănescu
Trifon Korobeynikov

Antonie Ruset
Nicolae Costin
Ion Neculce
George Ducas
Alexandru Lăpușneanu
Mihai Racoviță
Ioan Teodor Callimachi
Scarlat Callimachi
Dosoftei
Moldavia Metropolis
Suceava
Constantin Cantemir
narthex
Dimitrie Cantemir

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