Project for the People’s Salvation Cathedral Bucharest
Variant proposed by architect Gh. Bratiloveanu

The main façade is marked up by the belfry tower placed on the composition axis which is specific for the architecture of Transylvania and Banat, that has a square form and with cut faces at 45º at the level of the bells and sustained by another two circular towers of the north-south apses.

The entire ensemble equilibrates the central area marking up the main façade.

The exonartex is surrounded by an open verandah with five semicircular arches; this is an element encountered in the architecture of the Romanian church. The façade is enriched by the placement of a large niche where are placed the clock and the niches for the dedication days, protected at the superior part with semicircular arches.

On the superior part we also encounter the well-known Moldavian holes. The circular towers that flank the belfry are decorated with niches, holes and beams in the console.

In order to create a certain diversity for the façade of the tower, the cathedral is enriched by elements of natural stone. There are also friezes of enameled bricks.

The lateral façade with a general equilibrate volume, is constructed with a symmetrical axis towards the central steeple. The six pyramidal towers sustain the composition with its multiple elements taken from different regions of the country that give a certain monumentality and personality to the building. The lateral entrance on the axis of the central steeple is emphasized by the unhook of the three arches and sustained by the decorative abutments – elements that are encountered in the Moldavian architecture and the gothic monuments of Transylvania.

Their orientation as two open arms seems to be an invitation towards the analyze of this great spiritual monument.

The polygonal central steeple, with double walls, is sustained by a star basis – a Moldavian specific element having a pyramidal roof with a polygonal basis.

Such an approach with a star basis is also encountered at the tower from the apse of the altar

The building is also remarked by the following new elements:

-the modern solution proposed, with large openings and big heights, addresses itself as belonging to the IIIrd Millennium.

-the placement in the nave of the four semicircular apses, from which two are directed towards the iconostas and could be transformed in altars for the celebration of the Saint liturgies

-the presence of two hydraulic elevators for 6 persons, which insures the access in the basement and to the superior floors.

-stairs for emergency and access to the balcony of the pantocrator steeple for the visitors whishing to admire the entire area.

The originality of the cathedral lies in the way in which all the decorative traditional elements are included and harmoniously combined (taken from Walachia, Moldavia and Transylvania), thus creating a building that is a symbol of the spiritual IIIrd Millennium architecture of Romania, and also representing the unity of the Romanian people.

For the resistance structure we have consulted Professor Ph.D.Ing. Nicolae Florea, Conf.Ph.D.Ing. Mihai Petru from “Gh. Asachi” Polytechnical Institute, Iasi and Ph.D.Ing.Gh.Gemeniuc.