Popeşti-Leordeni: Archaeology, Sacred History and Water

At the eastern edge of Leordeni lies the archaeological site of Popești Leordeni – Conacul Costaforu on the right bank of the Dâmbovița, on a high terrace. Its elements combine a prehistoric settlement site, structural traces from the 19th century and a memorial monument.

Archaeology and Remembrance

The archaeological site includes a Bronze Age settlement of the Tei culture. It also contains the ruins of a manor house from the 19th century. The column of the monument to the heroes who fell in the First World War bears the inscription “Eroilor din Popești-Leordeni comuna recunoscătoare”. Two marble plaques on its sides list the names of the heroes.

The three historical layers are clearly distinguished on site: the settlement refers to the Bronze Age, the manor-house ruins to the 19th century, and the column with the marble plaques to the commemoration of those who fell in the First World War. The visible elements can thus be considered in terms of settlement, building history and remembrance, without combining them into a single period.

Sacred History

The Orthodox Biserica Sfinții Voievozi in Leordeni was built in 1807–1808 by the grand boyar Mihail Manu. It was consecrated on 26 March 1811, Palm Sunday. The founder portraits on the western wall of the pronaos were painted in oil on canvas by Nicolae Polcovnicul in 1825; the canvas was mounted on the wall.

The “Duminica Sfinților Români” Monastery was built between 2003 and 2006 and founded by Romanian Patriarch Teoctist. It is located on the border between Bucharest and Popești-Leordeni. Thus, this thematic area includes a church from the early 19th century, its consecration and the preserved wall painting alongside a considerably newer monastery building.

Different details are therefore decisive when classifying the sacred sites: for Biserica Sfinții Voievozi, the construction period, consecration, founder and portraits shape the presentation; for the monastery, the construction period, its foundation by Teoctist and its location on the border between Bucharest and Popești-Leordeni are the defining features.

Water and Green Spaces

Balta Floarea Popeștilor covers 5 hectares and is 1–6 metres deep. In Popeşti-Leordeni, Balta Floarea Popeștilor is a body of water for sport fishing. The size and depth figures describe the body of water independently of its permitted use and indicate the water area using two different measurements.

Parcul Erou Garian Alexandru covers more than 6,000 square metres. It is located in the heart of Popești-Leordeni. Thus, different features take centre stage at the two green- or water-related places: for Balta, area, depth and sport fishing are mentioned; for the park, area and its location in the heart of the city.

Those who consider the local information side by side can distinguish four clearly defined themes: the Bronze Age and manorial heritage of the archaeological site, Orthodox sacred history, the body of water for sport fishing and the centrally located park. These differences arise from the types of places, dates, measurements and geographical relationships mentioned.

More places in the catalogue: Otopeni, Buftea, Afumati, Roșu, Dascălu, Dimieni, Corbeanca, Chiajna

For the higher-level travel overview: Ilfov.