Heraldic and Vexilological Compositions in Tourist Presentations of Heritage Monuments - Case Study Sfantul Gheorghe-Cel-Nou Church From Bucharest

Abstract

The tourist presentations have the role of attractig attention due to the uniqueness of the information provided. Heraldic compositions are quite appealing and can become important elements in the discourse of a tourist presentation. Our study aims to highlight the coats of arms and the flag embroidered, sewn, engraved, painted, sculpted, cast or moulded, woven, objects that exist at the St. Gheorghe-Nou Church in Bucharest, the place where, among others, there are buried the rulers of Wallachia, Constantin Brancoveanu (1688-1714) and Ioan Mavrocordat (1716-1719). The funeral service of the poet Mihai Eminescu took place at this church, which is famous as a monument of Brancoveanu art in the Romanian capital-city. For the preparation of this study we have researched the church building, the bell, the frontispiece, the inscription, the perforated railings of the front porch and the staircase at the back entrance, the tombstone of Constantin Brâncoveanu's tomb, the scraper cover lid of the tomb containing the relics of Constantin Brâncoveanu, a few tetrapodes, the iconostasis, the carpet, the tablecloths, the curtains and the special curtain (the church flag) inside it. Regarding the actual description of the different types of coats of arms and the flag, we have complied with the heraldic and vexillological norms. We have taken into account the interest that these testimonies may arise in tourists, pilgrims, teachers, pupils and students alike, especially since the vexillological and heraldic sources can serve both to a better understanding of some historical phenomena and to distinguishing the symbols by which the ctitors and artists expressed their thoughts and aspirations. Our study is an impetus for the detection, analysis and placement in the scientific circuit and other sources of this kind, still unknown to tourists and to the general public.