St. Pantelemon Church, Chisinau

Chisinau is a city that boasts a wide range of architectural styles. One of the local buildings, renowned for its architectural value, - the Saint Pantelemon Church - will definitely grab your attention. Displaying a distinct Greek style, the Saint Pantelemon Church is a valued monument in Chisinau. In fact, this is one of the very few buildings in the country to reveal such a strong Greek influence.

For the first few years of its existence this tiny church was largely regarded as one of the best samples of such fine Greek architecture in the whole of the Russian Empire. Built in the late 19th century, its chief patron is Saint Pantelemon, the saint who, according to a legend, was a martyr of the Diocletian persecution of Christians in 303 AD.

Designed by architect Alexander Bernardazzi, the church features a magnificent Medieval Greek façade with elegant tall windows, divided into three arches separated by stone mullions, and an octagonal dome that dominates the building, giving it an authentic Greek look. Painted in grey with shades of white and decorated with brick, this church distinctly stands out from the plain urban setting. The church's interior is just as captivating as its outer part.