The “Saint Nicholas” Church is an Orthodox place of worship in Densuș, Hunedoara County, one of the oldest churches in Romania, apparently dating from the 12th-13th centuries, was built on the ruins of a building from the 4th century AD. It is close to the former settlement of Sarmizegetusa and it is said to have been built from shaped Roman stones brought from the ruins of the nearby Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, but this was never in fact proven. Others talk about the fact that first there was a Dacian temple of Zamolxe and that later the Romans came and planted their temple and then left. Another theory held by historians supports the idea that the stones were in the area and that in the 2nd century there was a pagan temple here worshipping the god Mars, converted a century later into a Christian church, where services have been held ever since. Apparently, there was a time when both an Orthodox and a Calvinist priest served in the church in Densuș in around 1701 – 1702. When the first one officiated, the icons were turned to face the wall. When the other one served, the faithful turned them back. All the paintings in the church were broken down and then varnished. Later the Turks came to the church. They, in turn, damaged the paintings and set fire to the wooden material. The eyes of the saints were removed, but the local priest claims that the saints of Densuș can see. There are many stories about this church, including many that relate various miracles. Locals also say that many people who come to Densuș enter a special state and are overwhelmed by their mere presence in this place.
I took these pictures in 2012.
