Key aspects for the dating of “Saint Nicholas” church located in the village Izvoru de Sus, Argeș County

Abstract

Izvoru manor was fi rst mentioned during the reign of Prince Neagoe Basarab (1512-1521), when it passed from the possession of Glavacioc Monastery to a boyar ownership. In the 16th century at the earliest, this manor belonged to Ştirbei boyars and was later transferred to Colfescu and Perticari families. The only traces of the old mansion are the vaulted cellars of a ruined house, atop of which a new house was built toward the end of the 19th century, and the chapel – currently the parish church, severely deteriorated. The history of this halidom, which was classified as a monument in 1930s, is unclear. Historical sources reveal contradictory information. On the one hand, some sources and the typological survey place the building of the church during the second half of the 17th century. On the other hand, the hypothesis of erecting it at the beginning of the subsequent century should not be ruled out, as suggested by the epigraphic documents. According to these sources, “Saint Nicholas” Church of Izvoru de Sus was built during the fi rst half of the 18th century.