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Brâncovenesc style in Romanian architecture
Considerations on the Wallachian architectural style or Brâncovenesc style
The Brâncovenesc style, also known as Wallachian Renaissance, or Brâncovenesc Baroque, is a
highly original architecture and decorative arts design, which developed within the confines of the
Principality of Wallachia under the administration of Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu, a Christian
protectorate of the Ottoman Empire, during the period of stability and prosperity of this great state
between the late 17th century and throughout the 18th century. It is a synthesis between local
Byzantine traditions, together with Islamic ones, at which is added late European Renaissance and
Baroque architecture. The style is usually named Brancovan or Brâncovenesc. It was also a unique
hybrid of Romanian Orthodox Christian edifice styles working with the dominant Islamic
architecture of the Ottoman Empire, of which the Principality of Wallachia was then, as a vassal
state, in his integrality. The most accomplished and the best preserved example of Brâncovenesc
style architecture is Horezu monastery, inscribed by UNESCO on its list of World Heritage Sites,
where Brâncoveanu intended to have his tomb.
This details will be an important chapter of the arts and architecture of the early modern southeast
Europe, which has been crucial for the development of the later Neo-Romanian style, the national
style of Romania.
Its name comes from Constantin Brancoveanu (1654 – 1714), who served as a Prince of Wallachia
(a historical and geographical region, in the south of now-a-days Romania) under Ottoman Empire
overlords, since 1688 up until his violent death in 1714 together with his entire family. The most
important form of the Brancovenesc art is its architectural style.
Constantin Brâncoveanu was an extremely wealthy aristocrat, and a builder of fine palaces and
churches, so the Brâncovenesc style find it’s way in that period.
Now he is celebrated as a saint in the Romanian Orthodox Church. It was he who encouraged the
development of this style which blends Baroque elements, characteristic of Venice, traditional
Romanian elements, as well as Balkan and Byzantine features. One of the masterpieces of the
Brâncovenesc style is the Horezu Monastery, located in the south of Romania. This is without doubt
the most appealing monastic center in this part of the country. The main structure of the monastery
is the church dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helena. This structure was built between 1690 and
1692 and was consecrated on September 8, 1693, on the celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary.
The church was destined to become the necropolis of Wallachia’s princely family, but Prince
Constantin Brâncoveanu and his sons were killed in Constantinople, at the Sultan’s order, who
accused the Wallachian ruler of treason. As proof of the significance of this establishment, the
prince appointed the boyard Pârvu Cantacuzino, his relative, to supervise the construction and
decorative work. Following the death of Pârvu Cantacuzino, in 1691, the work was supervised by
the great former military boyard, Cernica Știrbei.
In a few words, in Brâncovenesc style, east meets west in the center, creating something worthy of
world-wide appreciation. And indeed it is appreciated, being considered by architects all over the
world as one of the most interesting and inspiring European architectural styles.
In order to better understand why this form of art is so important to Romanians, we should say a
some more few words about Constantin Brâncoveanu.
As noted before, he was a Prince of what would later become the southern part of modern Romania.
During his lengthy rule, his realm had one of the most prosperous and peaceful periods in history,
making it for a great frame for culture and arts to flourish.
Having been raised in a highly educated and thriving family, he managed to conduct very friendly
and diplomatic external politics, even though Wallachia was sandwiched between great rivals like
the Hungarian Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire. But the situation changed in 1714, when he,
together with his 4 sons, were captured by the ottomans and taken to Constantinople, where he was
given two choices: give up his religion, Christian Orthodoxy, and convert to Islam and live to rule
his realm under ottoman directives, or be executed together with his family. He chose the second
option, as he could not betray his people and would rather die than renounce his religion and faith.
For this, he became one of Romania’s greatest heroes and, in 1992, the Church declared him and his
sons saints and martyrs.
It is no wonder then that the Brancovenesc architectural style left its biggest mark on religious
edifices. There are lots of churches and monasteries that were built in this way, some of them
carrying a unique paradox: combining Romanian Orthodox Christian edifice styles with the Islamic
architecture of the Ottoman Empire.
It is this kind of interesting architecture that won Horezu Monastery a well-deserved place in the
UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Situated in Horezu town, a couple of hours drive-away from
Bucharest, the monastery is considered to be the most beautiful example of its kind.
Also, Bucharest has its great share of churches and monasteries built in this style, among the more
important ones being Stavropoleos Monastery, Kretzulescu Church or Cașin Church. But the style
was not confined to religious buildings.
Many palaces and high-society mansions were built this way, many of them still standing tall and
proud on the beautiful streets of the old town of Bucharest. Probably the best known representative
of this style is Mogoșoaia Palace, just 10 kilometers north of Bucharest. It is considered an
architectural master-piece and is a strong candidate to also join the list of World Heritage Sites.
Winding down the streets of Bucharest, you are never too far away from a building built in the
Brâncovenesc style. Located in beautiful green neighborhoods of the old town, these examples of
fine architecture hold various functions, from privately-owned houses, to public institutions,
museums, company offices and even medical clinics.
They harmonically blend with the surrounding nature, due to their beautiful curves and shapes, and
sometimes create interesting contracts with neighboring buildings of different styles.
The style inspired many Romanian architects of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Thus,
the Neo-Brancovenesc or Neo-Romanian architectural style emerged, maintaining the guide-lines of
the original style, only adapting the building’s facilities to the newer times.
Visiting the places touched by the Brancovenesc art can be a touristic destination in its own, even if
you are not an architectural enthusiast. You would definitely love it and have fun with the locals
while getting to these places.
Later, the Brâncovenesc style inspired the architect Ion Mincu and others to initiate the Neo-
Brâncovenesc/Neo-Romanian architectural style in the latter 19th century.

An Ecclesiastical Haven

The church dedicated to the Saints Constantine and Helena is located in the center of the inner court
of the monastic assembly. This site accommodates the Bolnița Church, founded by Princess Maria
Brâncoveanu, the wife of Constantin Brâncoveanu. The first abbot of the monastery, John, erected
the Monastery of the Holy Apostles, while the eldest son of the ruler, Prince Stefan, built the
Hermitage of Saint Stephen. The Church of the Saints Constantine and Helena is built following a
three-cussed plan, reminiscent of the shape of a Greek cross. The model that inspired the builders of
this place of worship is the church in the Curtea de Arges Monastery. The Horezu Monastery
Church has a porch with 10 columns of stone, characteristic of the late Renaissance. The church’s
facades are decorated with rectangular panels and alcoves with hoops. The frame of the entrance is
made of stone and the church features the Wallachian coat of arms and the Cantacuzino family
crest, who was related to Brâncoveanu. The mural painting was masterfully created by Greek and
Romanian craftsmen, also the Byzantine canons are enriched with traditional Italian and Romanian
influences. In addition to the icons of the saints, the painting reveals an illustrated history of the
Emperor Constantine, who legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire and is considered a Saint in
the Orthodox Church.
The altar screen of this church was carved from linden wood and then gilded. The church also
preserves silver candles. The altar screen and the candles were a gift from Princess Maria
Brâncoveanu. The inner court of the monastery also comprises the princely residence located in the
south. It is an authentic mansion reserved for family members, and above it we can see the bell
tower of the monastery rising. There is also a council hall, where Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu
met with members of his court and the princes of Wallachia.

The northern part of the inner court hosts the monk’s chambers, which are built on two levels and
bordered by arcades. In the eastern part we find the refectory or the dining hall, with the chapel
located above it. The west side of the court features a brick wall, while the inner court is protected
by an outer enclosure, with strong walls and an imposing gateway. Later on, between 1725 and
1753, the abbot Dionysius Bălcescu built a stone chapel inside the inner court.

The Horezu Monastery was not only an ecclesiastical center, but also a cultural one. Prince
Constantin Brâncoveanu endowed the monastery with one of the most impressive libraries in
Southeast Europe, with 4,000 volumes that survive to this day. Among the volumes stored in this
library we find books printed in Basel, such as Homer's Odyssey, printed in 1541, or the Tragedies
of Euripides, printed in 1551, and also some copied by hand by the monks of the monastery. For a
long time, a school of manuscripts copyists operated inside the Horezu Monastery, as well as a
painting and sculpture school. The Brâncovenesc style used sculpture as an annex of painting,
because in the Byzantine tradition, sculpture could not have any religious role.

The opening to Western influences was encouraged by the Prince's personal ties with other royal
houses of Europe. In 1695, Constantin Brâncoveanu received the title of Prince of the Roman-
German Empire. Horezu Monastery is a good example of the synthesis of Byzantine and Romanian
traditions and influences from northern Italy. The monastic haven extends over a surface of about
three hectares. From its establishment until 1872, Horezu Monastery was inhabited by monks, and
from that date on wards it became a nunnery. The monastery was restored several times. It was
included on the World Heritage List in 1995.

Palaces
• Summer residence of Constantin Brâncoveanu (1968), situated in Potlogi
• Mogoșoaia Palace (1702) near Bucharest, restaurated and modified by Martha Bibescu
• The Old Mitropolitan Palace (1654-1708) located in Bucharest
Churches
• Stavropoleos Church (1724-1730), located in Bucharest
• Patriarch Catedral located in Bucharest (1655-1685), built during Șerban Cantacuzino
• Church of Sleeping of God’s (1698-1699), located in Birdești, Vrancea county
• Saint Gheorghe New Church (1698-1707), located in Bucharest
• Church Fundenii Doamnei (1699), located in Bucharest
• The Curch of old monastery (1699), located in Baia de Aramă
• Vădeni Church (1700), located in Târgu Jiu
• Colțea Church (1702), located in Bucharest
• Monastery Antim’s Church (1713-1715), located in Bucharest
Monasteries
• Mănăstirea Cotroceni Monastery (1679), located in Bucharest and demolished in 1985.
• Sinaia Monastery (1690-1695)
• Horezu Monastery (1690-1702), one of the most ambitious Brâncovenesc epoch projects by
dimensions and conception is revolutionary for old Romanian arts.
• Berca Monastery (1694)
• Mamu Monastery (1696)
• Govora Monastery (1701-1702)
• Surpatele Monastery (1706)
• Antim Monastery (1713-1715)
• Văcărești Monastery (1716-1722), demolished (1984-1986).
Text sources:
www.touringromania.com
Valentin Mandache (historian) blog
https://interestingtimes.ro/brancovenesc-diving-into-romanian-architecture/
http://unescoinromania.ro/history/36-the-horezu-monastery-the-architectural-gem-of-the-
brâncovenesc-style.html