The Church of the Baia de Arama Monastery. Between the Truth and the Treasure Hunters’ Fantasy
The Church of the Baia de Arama Monastery. Between the Truth and the Treasure Hunters’ Fantasy
Author(s): Ștefan Radu VergattiSubject(s): Archaeology, History of Church(es), Visual Arts, 17th Century
Published by: Editura "Arhitectură. Restaurare. Arheologie"
Keywords: monastery; thesaurus; archaeological research; Brancoveanu art; painting;
Summary/Abstract: The church dedicated to the Holy Voivodes of the Baia de Aramă Monastery was built between 1699 and 1703. Its founders were the Great Ban Cornea Brăiloiu and the man of fortune Milco Baieșul. The church stands as an historical, art and architectural monument of the Brăncoveanu era. A fantastic legend has been created that beneath it the treasure of Wallachian prince Constantin Basarab Brîncoveanu was hidden ... , which was not possible. At 3.5 meters below the church floor there is granite rock that cannot be dug. Also, 80 tons of gold could have been brought in about 160 carts, a situation that would have awakened the suspicion of the Sublime Porte. The attempts of the archaeologists who carried out the excavations, following this legend, with the approval of the Ministry of Culture, have destroyed the monument. Recently, a restoration has begun.
Journal: Caiete ARA
- Issue Year: 2020
- Issue No: 11
- Page Range: 151-162
- Page Count: 12
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF