The round church Ghika is built in the Italian neoclassical style, being among the few churches in Romania that have a round shape (The Round Church from Lețcani, Iași, The Round Church from Geoagiu, Hunedoara)

Tourist information and map

TypeChurch, Religious
Construction Year1833
FounderGregory Dimitrie Ghika IV
Tickets Free
Websitewww.parohiateiuldoamneighika.ro
LocationPetricani Street, Bucharest, Romania, Europe

Who built the Round Church Ghika-Tei and what is its history?

The church, next to the Ghika Palace, is part of the Ghika-Tei ensemble and was founded by Gregory Dimitrie Ghika IV.

The church is built in the Italian neoclassical style, having a round shape, being among the few churches in Romania that have a round shape (Round Church from Lețcani, Iași, Round Church from Geoagiu, Hunedoara).

In front is a pediment with the icon of the patron saint supported on eight columns in Doric-Tuscan style.

Above the entrance is an inscription in Cyrillic letters.

The Round Church Teiul Doamnei Ghika Bucharest
The view of the entrance with the inscription

Who painted the interior of the Ghika Tei Round Church?

Inside the church, next to the icons, there is a portrait of the ruler Grigore Dimitrie Ghica on the western wall, and on the opposite wall is his brother, Alexandru Ghica, his successor to the throne.

The interior painting was executed by the painter Alberto Giacometti the same one who painted the interior of the Ghica palace.

The Round Church Teiul Doamnei Ghika Bucharest
The interior of the Round Church Ghika

What graves and funerary monuments are found in the courtyard of the Ghika Tei Round Church?

Some members of the Ghika family are buried in the churchyard.

Among the graves in the churchyard is that of ruler Dimitrie Ghica, which has an imposing funerary ensemble, 4 almost life-size women support a slab on their heads on which there is a funeral urn.

On one side is a representation of eternity and rebirth, the butterfly emerging from its larva. Below this symbol is the inscription: “The stones on the streets of the neighboring fortress testify to you, traveler, what praiseworthy deeds Ghica Grigorie worked: Lord full of wisdom, you are obliged to lay a tribute to his grave“.

Grigorie Ghica is the ruler under whose rule some streets in Bucharest were paved with stone, including the “Targului de Afara Bridge” (Calea Mosilor)

What is hidden under the flowers in front of the Round Church?

In front of the church, under the circle of flowers, is the foundation of the former church built by the treasurer Barbu Văcărescu and his wife Ruxandra Rosetti, around the middle of the 18th century.

The Round Church Teiul Doamnei Ghika Bucharest
View of the Round Church Ghika Bucharest