Saint George's New Church, Bucharest, Guida per visitatori e cosa fare nei dintorni

Saint George's New Church (Biserica Sfântul Gheorghe Nou) stands on Piața Sfântul Gheorghe in the centre of Bucharest. It was built under Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu at the end of the 17th century, and it is closely tied to his memory. A statue of the prince in front of the church makes it an easy landmark to find and a good place to hear one of the city's best-known stories.

The story behind it

Constantin Brâncoveanu ruled Wallachia from 1688 to 1714 and is remembered as a great builder and patron of the arts. The church was raised during his reign, and it gives its name to the busy square around it. His rule ended tragically when he was executed in Constantinople in 1714. Tradition says his remains were later brought home and laid to rest here, which is why the church matters so much to Romanians.

Since 1939 a statue of Brâncoveanu has stood in front of the church, looking over the building he founded. Local storytellers have gathered a legend around it: the prince is said to judge the character of anyone who touches the stone, and to treat the unworthy harshly. It is a folk tale rather than history, but it gives the spot a certain atmosphere, especially at dusk.

What to look for

• The statue of Constantin Brâncoveanu in front of the church, placed there in 1939, is the best place to start and to think about the legend.
• The church's overall shape and stonework reflect the architecture of Brâncoveanu's era, so compare it with the modern buildings around the square.
• The setting itself is worth a pause: a historic church standing in the middle of a busy modern junction.
• If the church is open, look for the memorial to the prince inside, which is the heart of its story.

Tips for your visit

• Plan 15 to 30 minutes for the exterior, the statue and a look around the square, longer if you go inside.
• Check current opening hours before you go, and dress modestly if you want to enter, as it is a working church.
• Evening light and a quieter square make the statue more atmospheric, though daytime is better for seeing the building in detail.
• The church is in the central part of the city, so it combines easily with a walk through the nearby Old Town streets.

See it on a quest

You can reach this church on foot as one stop of Haunted Bucharest 3: The Shadow That Won’t Leave, a self-guided walk with a spooky theme. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle in what is in front of you, so the legend of the statue comes alive on the spot. You can start whenever you like, with no guide and no group to join. One ticket covers the whole group.