Slobozia Church, Eastern Orthodox church in central Bucharest, Romania
Slobozia Church stands at the intersection of Dimitrie Cantemir and Marășești Boulevards in Bucharest's Sector 4. Built between 1664 and 1667 by Radu Leon, it was first a rectangular structure; in 1743 treasurer Constantin Năsturel Herescu rebuilt and enlarged it on a trefoil plan. Large interior arches and classicized façades date from 19th–20th-century alterations.
Construction started in 1664 under Radu Leon at a location marked by a stone cross commemorating a military victory by Leon Tomșa in 1631. This church became part of Bucharest's religious landscape over many centuries.
The church is dedicated to the Great Martyr St. Demetrius (Sfântul Mare Mucenic Dumitru), a dedication visitors can recognize in the iconography. The interior murals were reworked around the Wallachian Revolution of 1848, when Western trends were combined with native elements. The name Slobozia refers to a tax-exempt settlement.
The church stands at the corner of Dimitrie Cantemir and Marășești Boulevards in Sector 4, reachable by metro and surface transport along both avenues. It is an active Orthodox place of worship, so entry during services should be quiet and modest dress is expected. The stone cross of Leon Tomșa and the 1631 battle site lie nearby, so allow time to see them together with the church.
During the Bucharest Metro construction in 1986, workers filled a tunnel with sand to prevent further damage after cracks appeared in the altar area. This event shows the challenges faced when protecting historic buildings in a growing city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,486 contributors worldwide.