Current name

The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral

Dating

Between 1744 and 1748, the Orthodox Episcopal Church (Cathedral) is built, on the site of the old fortifications existing in the sixteenth century and demolished after 1740.

The towers existing in 1760, covered with sheet copper, were raised in the years 1791 and 1792.

Historical names and functions

Until 1865, at the hierarchical separation between Romanians and Serbians, the building was the Orthodox Episcopal Church (Cathedral) – namely the Orthodox Episcopacy of Timişoara was part of the Sremski Karlovac Mitropoly.

Architectural style

The building is executed in the Baroque style with Classicist elements, due perhaps to some restorations from the beginning of the nineteenth century.

The main façade, facing Ungureanu St., is predominantly Classicist with some Baroque elements. Typical of this style is the façade rhythm done with Doric pilasters on the ground floor, Ionic on the first floor and Corinthian on the second floor.

The building was restored also in 1903, 1962 to 1964, 1982 to 1983 and 1993 to 2007.

The old iconostasis, work of the famous Ştefan Teneţchi, was replaced between 1830 and 1836 with the one carved by Mihajlo Ianici and painted by Constantin Daniel, called the Banat Tiziano in 1838 to 1843. The iconostasis was gilded by Alexander Tapferer in 1839.

Uniqueness aspects

Researchers have noted the special qualities of the church’s interior painting.

The crypt houses the tombs of seven bishops and 21 Orthodox founders.

The patron of the church is the Ascension of Virgin Mary. This church replaces an older church that was dedicated to St. Gheorghe – just like the opposite Roman Catholic Cathedral. The old church was not exactly on the same place as the one built in 1744; it appears that it was set up in the former Seidi Ahmed Mosque, located on the current Gh. Lazăr Street, midway between the intersections with streets Ungureanu and Mărăşeşti. It was destroyed by fire in 1737.

The cathedral is a historical and religious monument of prime importance, both to Timişoara and for Romania and Serbia.