Densus Church
Densus Church
4.5
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4.5
72 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
17
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Tiberiu_Baranyi
Timisoara, Romania17,107 contributions
Aug 2020
This is one of the iconic places of Romania - the picture of this stone church can be seen on several presentations or book covers.
Still it is very little known and very little promoted - more, compared to other places ...
Dating back to the 13th century it is a very interesting church since it is built using stones and architectural pieces (arches and columns) from the Ulpia Traian Sarmizegetusa site (today is an archaeological site).
Still there are several other theories that the church is much older - being built in the the 3rd or 4th century as very early Christian church in this area.
There is also a legend that says it is built upon a former monument that was build to commemorate a Roman general - and that monument got converted over the centuries into this church. Whatever the truth is - for sure it is worth the trip to Densus and to see this spectacular church.
Visiting is free of charge - donations are welcome.
In terms of pictures on the door you will find a request to not take photos inside - so pay attention to that.
Today it as orthodox church - it had served other confessions also over the ages - like the majority of the churches in the area.
Overall very interesting , spectacular and desperately in need of preservation/restoration for the next generations to be able to see it.
Still it is very little known and very little promoted - more, compared to other places ...
Dating back to the 13th century it is a very interesting church since it is built using stones and architectural pieces (arches and columns) from the Ulpia Traian Sarmizegetusa site (today is an archaeological site).
Still there are several other theories that the church is much older - being built in the the 3rd or 4th century as very early Christian church in this area.
There is also a legend that says it is built upon a former monument that was build to commemorate a Roman general - and that monument got converted over the centuries into this church. Whatever the truth is - for sure it is worth the trip to Densus and to see this spectacular church.
Visiting is free of charge - donations are welcome.
In terms of pictures on the door you will find a request to not take photos inside - so pay attention to that.
Today it as orthodox church - it had served other confessions also over the ages - like the majority of the churches in the area.
Overall very interesting , spectacular and desperately in need of preservation/restoration for the next generations to be able to see it.
Written 17 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jazzumbo
Romania2,161 contributions
Jul 2019
If you have to visit just one church in Romania, this one should definitely be your pick. It's one of the first Christian Orthodox church built in Romania, shortly after the Roman era.
The Roman emperor Aurelianus ordered the abandon of Dacia province in 271 AD. Many of the locals were converted to Christianism by then and apparently they took the opportunity of the Roman legions leaving the country to use the stones from the Romans abandoned temples to build their first churches. They have also included Roman tombstones and statues in the church's walls.
Nowadays, we have this church still standing strong - the oldest stone church in Romania, in which services are still held today. It was built in the first half of the 13th century on the ruins of a former church (presumably from the 4th century). It is located on a small hill in the middle of a cemetery surrounded by fruit trees, on the left side of the Galbena River near a Roman road. The building material of the church comes from the ruins of the temples of the former Roman province capital, Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa. This can be seen in the walls as tombstones, stones with inscriptions, fragments of statues or columns.
While exploring the church Roman you can identify a Roman warior here, a Latin inscription there. Two statues of lions are incorporated in the roof. Some tombstones from Roman era are to be found at the base of the columns located inside the church.
However, the South part of the roof is missing.
The indoor of the church is even more interesting. The portrait of Saint Bartolomeo, caring his skin on a walking stick looks almost psychedelic. This Orthodox icon is painted on one of the columns. The eyes of the saint are removed, and there is a sword mark in his chest. According to the priest that held religious service in this church, the Ottomans and Calvinists tried to destroy the painting over the centuries, by kicking it with swords or axes.
The painting of the Trinity is also odd, as Jesus is dressed in a Romanian traditional shirt, which was popular in the era, and has a cute bird on top of his head.
The Roman emperor Aurelianus ordered the abandon of Dacia province in 271 AD. Many of the locals were converted to Christianism by then and apparently they took the opportunity of the Roman legions leaving the country to use the stones from the Romans abandoned temples to build their first churches. They have also included Roman tombstones and statues in the church's walls.
Nowadays, we have this church still standing strong - the oldest stone church in Romania, in which services are still held today. It was built in the first half of the 13th century on the ruins of a former church (presumably from the 4th century). It is located on a small hill in the middle of a cemetery surrounded by fruit trees, on the left side of the Galbena River near a Roman road. The building material of the church comes from the ruins of the temples of the former Roman province capital, Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa. This can be seen in the walls as tombstones, stones with inscriptions, fragments of statues or columns.
While exploring the church Roman you can identify a Roman warior here, a Latin inscription there. Two statues of lions are incorporated in the roof. Some tombstones from Roman era are to be found at the base of the columns located inside the church.
However, the South part of the roof is missing.
The indoor of the church is even more interesting. The portrait of Saint Bartolomeo, caring his skin on a walking stick looks almost psychedelic. This Orthodox icon is painted on one of the columns. The eyes of the saint are removed, and there is a sword mark in his chest. According to the priest that held religious service in this church, the Ottomans and Calvinists tried to destroy the painting over the centuries, by kicking it with swords or axes.
The painting of the Trinity is also odd, as Jesus is dressed in a Romanian traditional shirt, which was popular in the era, and has a cute bird on top of his head.
Written 31 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aqua_Uomo
Toronto, Canada8,107 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
They didn't have enough local stone to build it therefore they stole it from Roman edifices. Note the first in the history, many cultures had the same approach from Greece to Tunisian. The Tunisians built the Grand Mosque of Kairouan with blocks from the magnificent Roman Amphitheatre in EL Jem
I am not going to comment on the historical facts and other religious matters, it was all deliberated and established in the previous posts even if I am one that looked for it (not easy to get to it) not just one that happened to bump into it. I will only want to add something about the place. It is serene, there is peaceful atmosphere surrounding the entire place. There was an old keeper at the entrance, he told me this old story about the church. The inside is very small and rudimentary but if you want to see the oldest church in Romania you will have to settle for less lust and more history. Go see it, sit in the back yard or in the small cemetery and detach yourself from everything for a few minutes. It will be very rewarding!
I am not going to comment on the historical facts and other religious matters, it was all deliberated and established in the previous posts even if I am one that looked for it (not easy to get to it) not just one that happened to bump into it. I will only want to add something about the place. It is serene, there is peaceful atmosphere surrounding the entire place. There was an old keeper at the entrance, he told me this old story about the church. The inside is very small and rudimentary but if you want to see the oldest church in Romania you will have to settle for less lust and more history. Go see it, sit in the back yard or in the small cemetery and detach yourself from everything for a few minutes. It will be very rewarding!
Written 7 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bcame
Bucharest, Romania76 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Old church with square top. Close to Hateg. It was unattended and closed, could not see the interior.
Written 19 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indygo005
Dubai, United Arab Emirates353 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
The oldest church in Romania and still in use, located about an hour's drive from Hunedoara. The church is located in the village Tara Hategului among an apple orchard. The surrounding village farmlands and meadows is a nice setting. It is recommended to arrive before 5pm as the church closes at that time.
Historians have different opinions. Some of them say that it was built on the ruins of a pre – Christian edifice in Dacia, others believe that it was built on the foundation of a temple dedicated to god Mars, many say that the church was initially a mausoleum dedicated to general Longinus Maximus that was killed by the Dacians, Nicolae Iorga places it in the 16th century, while art historian Vataseanu believes that it dates from the last quarter of the 13th century.
Historians have different opinions. Some of them say that it was built on the ruins of a pre – Christian edifice in Dacia, others believe that it was built on the foundation of a temple dedicated to god Mars, many say that the church was initially a mausoleum dedicated to general Longinus Maximus that was killed by the Dacians, Nicolae Iorga places it in the 16th century, while art historian Vataseanu believes that it dates from the last quarter of the 13th century.
Written 29 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lore S
Timisoara, Romania493 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
The orthodox church from Densus village is the oldest still standing church in Romania. Built in the 13th century, on the site of an ancient Roman temple, it is still functional today. The architecture is unique and you can find stones from the old pagan temple and other roman structures. Great place to visit for architecture and history lovers.
Written 3 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iulia din Alba Iulia
Alba Iulia, Romania95 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
The church of Densus, a village in Tara Hategului (Hateg County), is still keeping its secrets so that no one can certainly say when it was built. Most probably it dates from the last quarter of the 13th century.
I was so impressed by this place. It was a rather strange shape and it's built out of stones from Ulpia Traiana Sarmisegetuza, the Daco-Roman capital (early 2nd century). The painting is quite old and you can see how most of the artworks were destroyed by Reformists during Middle Ages.
I was so impressed by this place. It was a rather strange shape and it's built out of stones from Ulpia Traiana Sarmisegetuza, the Daco-Roman capital (early 2nd century). The painting is quite old and you can see how most of the artworks were destroyed by Reformists during Middle Ages.
Written 14 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Attila
86 contributions
Dec 2021
If your are nearby, it is worth visiting it. It is a very interesting example of recicling of very old pieces of buildings, combined with new materials.
Written 29 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ioana A
Cluj-Napoca, Romania55 contributions
May 2018 • Family
And now for something completely different... Not joking, this is an unique church, especially in Romania. It's said to be the oldest one, but what's so special about it is the way it looks: incorporating Roman funerary stones, with the weirdest roof (made of stones) and old frescoes. Just compare it with contemporary Orthodox churches, there's something inherently pagan about it. Loved the two lions sitting on the roof (also Roman sculptures).
Written 29 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LupulDeDorobanti
50 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
A very special little building, unique architecture with repurposed materials. Don't miss it!
I would add the frescoes inside to the list of things to see.
The hilly area around it gives it a nice setting. Sarmizegetusa Ulpia Traiana is close by, you can visit both durring the first part of the day if you are in the Hateg/Retezat area.
There is a local painter in the village who offers beautiful handpainted artwork of the church.
I would add the frescoes inside to the list of things to see.
The hilly area around it gives it a nice setting. Sarmizegetusa Ulpia Traiana is close by, you can visit both durring the first part of the day if you are in the Hateg/Retezat area.
There is a local painter in the village who offers beautiful handpainted artwork of the church.
Written 24 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, estoy a 14 km de la iglesia. Me gustaria saber los horarios para organizar mi ruta.
Gracias
Written 14 August 2019
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