The Old Saint Spyridon Church (Biserica Sfântul Spiridon Vechi) is a Romanian Orthodox church located at United Nations Square on the southern bank of the Dâmbovița River in the center of Bucharest.
It is unknown how far back the history of the church exactly goes, but according to documentation there was already a small wooden church in its place in the second half of the 17th century. The current Old Saint Spyridon Church was constructed by Prince Constantine Mavrocordat between 1747 and 1748.
The church was part of a monastic complex with cells, residential houses, an inn, a bell tower, and other buildings, over time only the church survived. Originally, the church was located on the left bank of the Dâmbovița, which used to meander freely. With the development of the city the river was straightened and the church ended op on the right bank instead.
In 1987, the church was demolished as part of Nicolae Ceaușescu‘s plan for the redevelopment of the city, but luckily some of the most valuable objects, including the icons, paintings, and the pediment were saved. After the fall of the communist regime, with the help of donations, the church was rebuilt between 1992 and 1997.
