The episcopal church of Curtea de Arge║, known as the Monastery of Curtea de Arge║, is one of the most beautiful religious edifices in Romania. It symbolizes, as the legend of Master Manole implies, the self-sacrifice of the Romanian people. Master Manole, the famous mason of Prince Neagoe Basarab (also called Negru-Vodπ), is said to have built, between 1516 and 1517, the most beautiful religious building in the whole area, paying for it with his and his wifeÆs life. The church was restored several times, first in the 17th century under Matei Basarab (1632-1654) and ¬erban Cantacuzino (1678-1688), and later at the end of the 18th century. The present-day aspect of the church is due to the restoration work undertaken by Lecomte de Nouy, the French architect, between 1875 and 1876. The outer decorations, of Arab, Persian, and Georgian origin, are carved in Albe║ti stone. The vestiges of the original frescoes, made by Dobromir in 1526, may be seen at the National Art Museum in Bucharest. With its triconch plane, the Monastery of Curtea de Arge║ resembles the Metropolitan Church in Bucharest and other monasteries in Wallachia.
The church is one of the biggest princely and royal necropolises in the country. The narthex houses the crypts of the founders, Princes Neagoe Basarab and Radu of Afuma■i, as well as RomaniaÆs first two royal couples, King Carol I and Queen Elisabeta, and King Ferdinand and Queen Maria.
The inside is richly decorated in marble and mosaic brought from Constantinople. The votive paintings, the onyx altar, and the twelve columns with floral decorations representing the twelve apostles are typical Orthodox decorative elements.
