Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-28
THE WAR PRIMER By National Geographic Society
curtea D'Arsesch-Directly in line

Curtea D'Arsesch-Directly in line
 with the Austro- German advance in-
 to Rumania through the Rothenthurm
 (Red Tower) Pass, is the Wallachian
 town of Curtea d'Argesch, one of the
 most interesting places, historically
 and architecturally. in the whcle king
 dom. The National Geographic Soci- ety has issued the following bulletin describing this unique village:
 Not more than 55 sls,es southeast of Rothenthurm Pass, and 20 miles northwest of Pitesci, on the railroad which connects these two points, is Curtea dArgesch, one of the oldest towns in Rumania and the second capital of the principal1ty of Wall
 achia, founded iE the thirteenth cen- tury.
 "When the famous Ru,nanian chief
 tain Radu Negru (Rudo,ph the Black) led band of pioneers over the Tran sylvania Alps down toward the Wap-
 achian plains he first established hau
 court at Campulung, which is a short
 distance southeast of the Torzburg Pass. A few years later he moved his court (CHrtea) to the right bank of the River Argesch, which rises in the Transylvanian Alps and flows in southeasterly direction, entering the Danube at Turtukai. Thus was Ar gesch established and one of Radius first cares was to build a church on what tradition says was the site of Roman temple. The beautiful pile of
 white and gold architecture now known as the cathedral of Curtea d'
 Argesch and generally recognized as the most impressive ecclesiastical structure in Rumauia is supposed to
 have been raised on the foundations of the earlier church by the WalIachian prince Nogoe, or Neagoe Bassarab. during the first half the 18th century.
 "Rumanian history is highly col rod 1c md <,f
 picturesque traditions handed down from generation to generation is that which concerns the erection of this cathedral Prince Nogoe. So goes the story, was a prisoner in Constantino-
 pie during his early manhood, and
 by the Sultan to build mosque.
 When the work was completed Nogoe persuaded the pleased potentate to give him (the architnct) the material
 which was left over. This was sent to Curtea dArgesch, and when the prince finally returned to his native land he employed Mano1e, an archi- tect, to erect cathedral, under his, Nogoe's direct supervision. Thus Byzantine looking structure with cer- tain moorish embellishments began to
 take form, but the work proceeded too slowly to satisfy the prince and Man
 ole was ordered to hasten operations The latter, fearing for his life if the building was not soon completed yet handicapped by a series of nishaps to the walls, was finally prevailed upon to listen to the superstitious advice of some of his associates-that the church walls would never stand until a living woman had been placed inside to support them.
 'rwho should the victim be?" It was finally agreed between. the arehi- tect and the masons that the first vxyrYV 10
 next day with food for her husband should be sacrificed. All agreed to
 keep secret the method of choice, but
 Manole alone kert his word. The oth- CT wives. being warned, stayed away from the building the next day, but Utza, Manole's devoted helpmate, ap- peared as usual. With his own hands
 Manole placed Utza in a crevice and immured her.
 ''The walls fell no more after that and the cathedral was soon completed.
 But the arrogant worl1men were so
 boastful of their achievement that the prince, in disgust, had all t'1e scaf- | folding of the church removed while the masons and the architect were put I ting the finishing touches to 'he roof
 Thus. all the builders starved to death-all save Monole, who one day
 approached the. parapet and. hearing
 his beloved wife calling him, fell to I the pavement and died. A fountain, named for him, conImemorates the | place where he was killed.
 | Thus was the cathedral with its two large domed towers. and it's two
 smaller cupolas with their curious diagonal windows, completed Since that time several monarchs have em-
 bellished it. Just thirty years ago it
 was restored by Lecomte iu Nouy, a
 French architect. After his work was finished, King Carol and Queen Eliza beth (Carmen Eylvas wefeamong
 those who participated III the service of reconsecration."