THE CHURCH DEDICATED TO THE HOLY VOIVODES OF BAIA DE ARAMĂ MONASTERY BETWEEN THE TRUTH AND THE TREASURE HUNTERS FANTASY

Radu Ștefan VERGATTI

The church dedicated to the Holy Voivodes of the Baia de Aramă Monastery was built between 1699 and 1703. Its founders were the great ban Cornea Brăiloiu and the rich Milco Băieşul. The church stands as a historical, art and architectural monument of the Brâncoveanu era. A fantasy legend has been created that beneath it would have been hidden the treasure of the Wallachia prince Constantin Basarab Brâncoveanu ... It was not possible. At 3.5 meters below the church floor begins the granite rock, where it can not be dug. Also, 80 tons of gold could be brought in about 160 waggons, a situation that would have awakened the Sublime Gate's suspicion. The attempts of the archaeologists who carried out the excavations, following this legend, with the approval of the Ministry of Culture, have destroyed the monument. Lately, a restoration has begun.