Cluj-Napoca - Cathedral of Archangel Michael

The Cathedral of Archangel Michael is considered to be the center of Cluj-Napoca. Located in Piata Unirii, the Gothic basilica was constructed in the 14th century. King Carol Robert commissioned the cathedral in 1316, although significant work was only begun in the middle of the 14th century. By 1390 the basilica was largely complete and the altar was consecrated. A campaign to embellishments the cathedral was undertaken 1410-1487; this included an important cycle of wall painting. The clock tower was constructed in the first half of the 16th century, but was destroyed in 1697. The second tower was completed in 1744, but was destroyed 19 years later. The current tower was completed in 1860. The church now serves the Roman Catholic community, but served the Reformist, Lutheran, Calvinist, Unitarian communities in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The cathedral has a basilica plan and measures 70 meters in length. The facade is partitioned into three sectors by four embellished buttresses; each of the sections bears stained glass windows. The main entrance is framed by a lobed Gothic arch with a high relief sculpture of Archangel Michael in the pediment. The cathedral was intended to be viewed from all sides; thus, the exterior is made to captivate the viewer with features such as embellished spires atop the otherwise simple buttresses, geometric molding at the top of the wall, and a lateral entrance with an elaborated carved molding. The clock tower consists of 6 tiers below the roof. From the top, the 2nd, 4th and 5th tiers have stained glass windows framed within ogival arches on three sides, while the 3rd tier bears circular windows to mimic the clock on the uppermost tier.

On the interior, the ogival vaulted ceiling is supported by the walls of the cathedral as well as a system of 10 massive ribbed pillars arranged in 2 rows. The length of the apse is just short of half the length of the nave; the altar dates to the late 14th century with embellishments from the 19th century. The southeast corner of the cathedral holds a chapel dedicated to Archangel Michael. Fresco fragments in this chapel and on the walls of the aisles date to the 15th century. One of the most beautiful features in the church is the gilded wooden pulpit in 18th century baroque style crafted by Johannes Nachtigall and Anton Schuhbaue.
(composed 2015 for website of Transylvania Alive Association for Cultural Heritage) 

 Cathedral of Archangel Michael in Cluj-Napoca. (photos Eric De Sena, 2015)