Church of the Three Hierarchs

The boulevard's main attraction is the fabulous Church of the Three Hierarchs , which is currently suffering from acute scaffolding-itis both inside and out, due to years'-long painstaking restoration. Fortunately, the unique exterior, embroidered in a wealth of intricate patterns in stone, can be appreciated – if not satisfactorily photographed – through the obscuration. In its original form, the exterior was covered in gold, silver and lapis. Built in 1637–39 by Prince Vasile Lupu, ostensibly to buy his way into heaven, it was damaged by Tartar attacks in 1650, but its dizzying mix of western Gothic, Renaissance and eastern motifs has been carefully restored.