Metropolitanate Hill (Dealul Mitropoliei)Â is a small hill in Bucharest with an ensemble of historic buildings, making it an important historic, cultural, religious, and touristic site. The site is also the headquarters of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
In the 16th century, on Metropolitanate Hill there was only a small wooden church, founded by Oprea Iuzbașa, which was surrounded by vineyards. In the 17th century Prince Constantin Șerban ordered the construction of a new church, which grew out to a large monastic complex surrounded by walls.
The site has witnessed some important historical events, including the election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as prince of Moldavia and Wallachia, which was the first step towards the unification of the principalities. Another historic event that took place on Metropolitanate Hill was the assassination of Berbu Catargiu, the first Prime Minister of Romania. He was shot to death next to the Bell Tower when he arrived to give a speech at the Chamber of Deputies on 20 June 1862.
Over time, the walls have disappeared, but several of the historic buildings have remained, and the ensemble forms an important tourist attraction of the city.
In the center of the hilltop stands the Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest. The cathedral, which is dedicated to the Saints Constantine and Helena, dates from 1658 but its appearance has been altered over time. The cathedral is still a functioning place of worship and it is even considered one of the most important churches in the capital.
To the south of the cathedral stands the Palace of the Patriarchate which was built in a Neo-Classical style in 1907. In the past, the building was also known as the Palace of the Chamber of Deputies, as it housed the lower house of the parliament, but in 1997 it was returned to the Patriarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
To the west of the cathedral stands the Patriarchal Residence and Chapel. Until 1997, the building was used as the Patriarchate Palace. The chapel was built in the 17th century and rebuilt in 1723.
To the northeast of the cathedral stands the Bell Tower, which was built in 1698 at the order of Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu. At that time, the complex was walled like a citadel, and the Bell Tower was the main entrance gate. Nowadays, the tower houses a shop selling religious items.
In front of the Bell Tower, on the green strip on Aleea Dealul Mitropolitiei stands the Alexandru Ioan Cuza Monument. The statue was unvealed on 20 March 2004, 184 years after the birth of the man who is regarded as Romania’s first modern ruler.
