One of the churches located around Union Square (Piata Unirii)
that survived Ceausescu's plan for creating the Civic Center is Princess Balasa
Church (Biserica Domnita Balasa). Instead, this church had a bit of bad luck in terms
of natural elements. The first church on this site was a wooden one built in 1774 but
it burned down and was replaced by a stone structure in 1751. The second church was damaged
during an earthquake and had to be replaced by a third structure build between 1838-1842.
At its turn, this building was damaged by floods and replaced by a fourth church between
1881-1885. This is the ocre striped church that we see today. The current church had to
be repaired again after each of the two major 20C earthquakes (1940 and 1977). This is
one of the most popular places for weddings in Bucharest and if you come here on Saturdays
and Sundays, you are almost certain to see a wedding taking place. The church is located
off Piata Unirii and Splaiul Independentei behind the blocks of apartments bordering
Unirii Square, and faces the side of the Justice Palace. Princess Balasa Church is
named after Wallachia's ruler Brancoveanu's sixth daughter. Her statue stands in the
small garden that surrounds the church.
