The Serbian St. George Church in Timisoara, Romania
Serbian St. George Church Timisoara – Summary
The Serbian St. George Church (Biserica Ortodoxă Sârbească Sf. Gheorghe) is a mid-18th century mixed Baroque and Classical architectural style church in the city of Timisoara, Romania. The church is one of the oldest buildings found in the historic Traian Square of Timisoara. The church was developed in the mid-1700s, around the same time Serbian religious leaders, who relocated from Belgrade to Timisoara, developed two other prominent Serbian churches in the city.
The Serbian St. George Church’s construction coincided with the development of the Serbian Episcopal Palace, and the Timisoara Serbian Cathedral, both built in the Dom Square (Piaţa Domului) known today as Union Square (Piața Unirii) in Timisoara. The springing up of the various new Serbian churches at the time helped cement Timisoara as an open and welcoming city to the surging Serbian minority that was fast establishing their presence there.
Back of the Serbian St. George Church in Timisoara
As the years went on the Serbian and Romanian communities in Timisoara became more segregated. When the communities started to split and differ on different issues, including religious disagreements, they mutually agreed to attend church services of their respective nationality. Such is the case of the St. George Church, initially shared by both Romanians and Serbs, it eventually became a sole possession of the Serbian community.
Serbian St. George Church Timisoara – Table of Contents
- Serbian St. George Church Timisoara – History
- Serbian St. George Church Timisoara – Architecture
- Serbian St. George Church Timisoara – Visitor Info
Serbian St. George Church Timisoara – History
Traian Square Circa 1900 with the Serbian St. George Church (Left Corner)
During the time period in the 1500s, while Timisoara was under the rule of the Islamic Ottomans, there remained a small Orthodox church in the Fabric District of Timisoara. After the Austro-Turkish War of 1716–18 the Habsburg empire gained rule of Timisoara and the primary religion became Catholicism. Despite the wishes of the Habsburgs, the Orthodox faith remained as a minority religion in Timisoara.
In the 17th century, the original small Orthodox church in the Fabric District was upgraded to a larger wooden church. During this same time period, the Orthodox faith started making a resurgence and the St. George Church was built to be the representative Orthodox church of the city. Around this same time, the Serbian Metropolitan Church relocated its premises from Belgrade to Timisoara.
During the inauguration of the St. George Church, the Romanian Patriarchates in Banat had been placed under the jurisdiction of the newly established Serbian Patriarchates. The church became the primary worship center for the mixed Romanian and Serbian communities. Services at the church were performed in both languages. The church existed as a dual nationality church up until around the year 1825.
Historic Photo of the Traian Square and the Timisoara Serbian St. George Church
Disagreements between the Romanian and the Serbian Orthodox communities which shared the St. George Church building caused the Romanians to want to branch out and create their own church. In 1825 the Romanian faction began construction on what would become their new primary church, the St. Elias Church (Biserica Ortodoxă Sf. Ilie), completed in 1826.
After the St. Elias Church was completed, the majority of the Romanian church community from the St. George Church migrated over to the new church. The full split of the two communities didn’t officially take place until around 1865 when a court order deemed the St. George Church as belonging primarily to the Serbian Orthodox leadership.
Serbian St. George Church Timisoara – Architecture
The Serbian St. George Church in Timisoara was created from 1745 to 1755 in the Kossuth Square (Piața Kossuth), known today as the Traian Square of Timisoara. The church’s unique Baroque architecture style stands outs in the eclectic and secession style dominated Traian square. The church’s exterior rectangular vessel, and polygonal apse, along with its highly painted interior is a true testament to the Orthodox design.
Clock Tower of the Serbian St. George Church in Timisoara
Church Exterior
The church contains a slender bell tower that has elements of classical architecture. The tower was raised in 1890 to make the church fit in with the larger buildings that sprung up in its vicinity. The church’s tower contains three levels which are bound by girdles. The first level of the tower is formed by three semicircular arches. The second level has a circular window. The third level contains four windows and the church’s clock.
Left Side View of the Serbian St. George Church in Timisoara
The Serbian St. George Church contains beautiful religious paintings both on its exterior and in its interior. Directly above the church’s center entrance arch, there is a fascinating fresco which depicts St. George on a white horse in battle with a serpent dragon. There are also two other beautiful religious paintings on to the east and west of the church tower’s second level. The first is of the celebration of Good Friday, the second of Jesus’s baptism.
Church Interior
The church’s interior design is typical of Orthodox churches. It contains a choir, a nave, sanctuary, massive vaulted ceilings, and an altar. At the west end of the church’s center, there is a tribune that’s supported by three arches. The church interior contains a magnificent iconostasis, a wall of icons and religious paintings that separates the church’s nave from its sanctuary. The furniture found inside the church is relatively new, dating to the early twentieth century.
Interior of the Serbian St. George Church in Timisoara
Throughout the church’s interior, there are many stunning religious paintings and icons that signify different important events, and individuals of the Orthodox faith. Some of the paintings contain scenes that depict Marry, the mother of Jesus, with her son being blessed by the heavens. There are also very vivid and highly detailed representative paintings of saints such as Moses, Aaron, and Nicholas partaking in key biblical events.
Serbian St. George Church Timisoara – Visitor Information
Biserica Ortodoxă Sârbească Sf. Gheorghe din Timişoara
Location
The Serbian St. George Church is located in the Traian Square at the address: Strada Costache Negruzzi, Timișoara. The church is located directly to the East, and right behind, the Piața Traian Park.
Visitation
The Serbian St. George Church is open to visitation daily with the exception of Sunday and Holidays when church services are carried out. Tourists are allowed to visit and photograph the church’s interior and exterior.
