Thematic Route: The Cultural Heritage Route

Name of the Touristic Attraction: Grecescu Church

Location: in Drobeta Turnu Severin, Mehedinți County. The church is located in the vicinity of Grecescu Hospital, in the western part of Drobeta Turnu Severin, in Mehedinţi County, between Decebal, Dimitrie Grecescu and Carol I streets.

Address: Carol I Street, no. 1, Dr. Tr. Severin

Legend / Story / Impressions / Recommendations: Initially, the construction was to be called “Severin Episcopate”, which did not happen because of the authorities of that time. Today the church is dedicated to St. John the Baptizer and it is named after its founders: Ioan Stoian Grecescu and his wife, Ioana. The Grecescu boyar initially built the hospital that now bears his name, with the materials for the construction of the church, and later, having obtained two platforms of land near the hospital, decided to build the church as well. The testimony is also the words we find at the entrance to the church. The interior painting of the church belonging to Gheorghe Tătărescu (1872) gives this place a special value and beauty. On this work of religious art, Alexandru Răsmeriță, in 1898 and later on, in 1908, Theodor Zarnea, also left their mark. The roof was originally built of brass but was destroyed by the Germans in 1917. After the earthquake of 1977, the church was repaired.

Information and Contact:

The church is administered by the Episcopate of Severin and Strehaia:

phone: +4 0252 333 048, +4 0252 333 039,

e-mail: secretariat@episcopiaseverinului.ro

website: www.episcopiaseverinului.ro

Route close to other Thematic Routes:

In town you can also visit:

1.”General Dragalina Park” with the Severin Fortress and Drobeta Archeological Complex placed on the slope of the Danube terrace

2.”Roses Park” made up of hundreds of varieties of trees, shrubs and roses

3.The Water Castle

4.Hydroelectric Plant “Iron Gates”  Museum

5.”Theodor Costescu” Cultural Palace

6.Orthodox Cathedral

Other Useful Information:

Accomodation:

Traian Hotel: phone: +4 0252 311 760

Continental Hotel: phone: +40372 528 828

Condor Hotel: phone: +40252 311 128

Corona Hotel: tel: +40743 128 658

Events in Severin:

1.Severin’s Days – 23rd  April

2.Danube’s Day – 29th  June

3.National Festival of Literature “The meaning of love” – in Spring

4.The Festival “Songs of Romanians from Everywhere”– in October

5.The Autumn National Book Fair – in October

6.The Gala of Excellence Awards – in Autumn

GPS Coordinates: lat, long: 44.6233963, 22.6451285125, elevation: 73m