Since in my previous post I got to present one of the oldest and most important churches of Transylvania that no one knows about it except the locals, today we get to explore one more church which is just 30 km away from Strei Church.
While Strei Church was built at the end of the 13th century, today we step a little further back in history to discover one more important monument of Transylvania but which even though has a similar story to the other church, we will see that the situation tends to be kind of different.
Originally named Biserica „Sf. Nicolae" (Saint Nicholas Church), the building dates since the 12th century and it's located in the same county (Hunedoara) where it can be also found the Strei Church, but where somehow you get to meet more tourists and not find yourself walking between the forgotten ruins from o village where the sadness and awful historical moments can be seen even on the faces of the very few locals left.

This time we had the pleasure to see the monuments be well maintained by the locals instead of some bent crosses eaten by the rust, a green garden which suggest that you are in a peaceful place rather than some forgotten lands, and people smiling at you for no reason which are also exploring a new area just like you where you don't bother anyone with your intention to learn a few more things about the history of your country.

An even more pleasant surprise came from the people who try to promote this place, seeing lots of locals selling various hand made souvenirs, traditional objects and church goods before you enter the area where the church is located, but also the guys who were working on some busts sculptures to make the place seem like detached from a fairy tale that ended centuries ago.

What makes Densuș Church an even more important monument full of history, is the place where it was built that is covering the ruins of a building which appeared back in the fourth century after Christ, which also made the subject of the main materials used to raise the church, being completed by those found in Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa - being considered the capital of Roman Dacia (located on 11 km away from the church).
Sadly, the place doesn't enjoy the success it could have because since 1991 the monument is part of the list with monuments proposed to join the UNESCO patrimony, but for an unknown reason, it was not approved until today.
Densuș Church stands out even through its architectural style that has nothing in common with what we are used to see in Romania, but which is the real proof to how many things have changed since this one appeared and served the Christian orthodox people back in the 12th century.
Actually the historical monument was close to being demolished by the locals back in the 18th century due to the advanced stage of degradation, but which was saved in the last moment by the Austro-Hungarian authorities of that time who saw lots of potential into the building and declared it one of the most important historical monuments Romania is proud to have.

The church that has not stepped back from seeing lots of painful historical events, it's also considered the church of the saints without eyes which still gathers lots of souls of the people who are in pain and find their peace and remedy at Densuș Church.

If you've also read the story of Strei Church, then most likely you are not a stranger from the stories about the murals whom eyes were removed. This is how Densuș Church couldn't step back from the same treatment applied by the Turkish people after for many years the historical monument sheltered two priests who held their religious sermons alternately - an Orthodox priest and one Calvinist.

Of course, the locals were split between the two religions and every single time the priests held a sermon, it was created real chaos between the Calvinists who were setting on fire the religious icons and turn them with the face on the walls, and the Orthodox people who were trying to save the icons and place them in their original settlements being able to look at them and pray.

According to some more specialists, the church originally dates since the 7th century, but it was discovered only in the 12th century and this is why they considered the 12th century as the real one. Though, no matter what the truth is - a thing is clear: Romania is proud to have some really amazing historical monuments which are still standing still after many centuries since they appeared, with or without rehabilitation aid.

Densuș Church is part of those monuments which received help to not be demolished not only once, but for many times, one of the most important events being when the former ambassador of United States from Romania, Michael Guest, came as a simple tourist to learn a little bit more about the history of the country and ended up by returning over and over again to make sure the building will not be demolished, donating not less than $20.000 in 2005.

Compared to Strei Church, the tourists can visit the interior of Densuș Church without paying anything. The single requirement is to not take any videos or pictures to the murals which are in pain without their eyes, but which can still see and take care by anybody is crossing the threshold of the monument. There is always an old man who knows every single part of the history of Transylvania and its churches and who is looking forward to meet new people to share his stories with.

Biserica „Sf. Nicolae" is located in Densuș Village which is just 15 km away from Hațeg, following the national road DN68 which makes the connection between the two counties Hunedoara and Caraș-Severin.

SEE YOU IN THE NEXT TRIP! 🗾

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