Cristofi Cerchez

His architecture covers a wide range of styles from traditional to eclectic to modern, as well as private, civic and religious edifices.

Cristofi Cerchez was born on 4 July 1872, in the village of Băneasa-Herăstrău in the outskirts of Bucharest, in a family of Armenian and Circassian descent.

[1] He attended schools in Turnu Măgurele and Alexandria, and then continued his studies in Bucharest, at the Mihai Viteazul Lyceum.

In 1894, he graduated from the School of Bridges and Roads and was given a scholarship by Elena Turnescu to continue his studies in Milan.

Minovici wanted something unique to house his large collection of folk art and bought property at the edge of town.

Between 1905 and 1906 he built a school in Ploiești at the request of philanthropist, Zoe Scorțeanu, to honor her son, Alexandru (1859–1899).

Between 1908 and 1909 he was in charge of architecture for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and supervised work on the State Archives of the Mihai Vodă Monastery.

[2] Four houses that represent the core of Cerchez's style were built between 1911 and 1932 and were inspired by seventeenth century townhouses located in Bucharest, Câmpulung, and Târgoviște.

[1] In 2012, the Art History Association printed two maps and led tours to some of Cerchez's buildings in an effort to bring awareness to his work.