Regele Carol I și monumentele istorice
Prince Carol of Hohenzollern, who became, on May 10, 1866, ruler, and, in 1881, King of Romania, had studied history, history of arts and philosophy, at the University of Bonn. Here, he possessed himself of the aesthetical conceptions of the XVIII-th century philosopher, G.W.F. Hegel, - those of "purism in art" - through his mentor, the professor Anton Springer. In Romania, the same conceptions were shared by "Junimea", a literary- cultural and political movement, the beneficent influence of which was considerable main by due to its bader, Titu Maiorescu. The restoration of historic monuments is a target to be found in the rulers' programmes, starting with 1830. Carol I would continue this policy, giving it new dimensions through out his whole reign, till his death, in 1914. The architects who were working in Romania at the time were schooled in Vienna, at the Fine Arts Academy, or coming from the French school of the famous E. Viollet le Duc. They promoted the same theory of the purity of style in historic monuments restoration. Energetic and tenacious in having his orders fulfilled, King Carol I obstinately followed the restoration of the monasteries and churches in Romania. His stands and frequent messages addressed to the Legislative Assembly or in occasional speeches - quated in the present paper - reflect the King's constant interest in the restoration of the historic monuments. "The pure style" - conception shared by Carol and also by the Romanian intelectuals, during the second half of the XLX-th century - received a legal acknowledgement in 1874, by the Decree issued on April 6, approving of "the Regulations Concerning the Comission for Public Monuments". The document states that: "the most important daty - (of the above - mentioned Commission) - is to preserve the primitive style of the monument". When the works undertaken by the architect Lecomte de Noiiy - at the Episcopal Church in Curtea-de-Argeş, at the "Trei Ierarhi" church in Jassy, and in some ather places, - were severely educated, King Carol I advocated the French architect, consistent in his esthetical principles. Moreover, after 1901, the restoration works undertaken by the above-mentioned architect were financed by the Royal House. During King Carol I's reign, the lows concerning monuments' restoration were promulgated, in 1874, 1892, and 1913 - important landmarks in the history of monuments restoration in Romania. By their elevating words, the royal messages concerning monuments' restoration had a most educative effect, bénéficient for the Romanian public opinion. The restoration of monuments has thus become a component of the state policy, in modern Romania.
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