Densus Church
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Densus Church was built in XII century, on the place of a site dating from the fourth century. With an interior fresco in perfect condition, Densus Church is near the ruins of the former capital of Roman Dacia – Colonia Ulpia Traiana Augusta Sarmizegetusa.
This edifice of Hateg Country aroused many controversies between different scientists who wanted to establish the origin. Some researchers have argued that the church was the mausoleum of the Roman general Longinus Maximus, killed by the Dacians, others mention it was a temple of the god Mars.
Nicolae Iorga place the monument in the XVI century, and the art historian Vataseanu in the last quarter of XIII century. To determine the precise dating of the church, numerous investigations were made. But the monument still retains its mystery with perseverance. There are statements such as the old church was modified over time and especially in the late thirteenth century.
Built of river rocks, bricks with Roman inscriptions, capitals, gravestones, sewer pipes etc., certainly taken from Ulpia Traiana, Densus Church looks strange, but also brings admiration and amazement.
In the shade dominating inside this massive building are hardly perceived fragments of paintings remained over the years.
Paintings from the upper registers of the nave walls and the altar are the work of artist Stefan. The signature with which it has marked the work can be seen today. Profiled on ultramarine background, the characters point out the real artistic qualities of the master.
The features of the artist painting send to St. Nicholas Church in Curtea de Arges, built in XIV century. The resemblance between the styles makes us suppose that this craftsman was a representative of the art in the Romanian Country in Transylvania.
