CURTEA DE ARGESH (Rumanian, Curtea de Arges; also written Curtea d'Argesh, Curtea d'Ardges, Argish and Ardjish)  , the

capital of the department of Argesh, Rumania; situated on the right bank of the river Argesh, where it flows through a valley of the lower Carpathians; and on the railway from Pitesci to the Rothenthurm Pass . Pop . (1900) 4210 . The city is one of the oldest in Rumania . According to tradition it was founded early in the 14th century by Prince Radu Negru, succeeding Campulung as capital of Walachia . Hence its name Curtea, " the court." It contains a few antique churches, and was created a bishopric at the close of the 18th century . The cathedral of Curtea de Argesh, by far the most famous building in Rumania, stands in the grounds of a monastery, 12 m . N. of the city . It resembles a very large and elaborate mausoleum, built in Byzantine style, with Moorish arabesques . In shape it is oblong, with a many-sided annexe at the back . In the centre rises a dome, fronted by two smaller cupolas; while a secondary dome, broader and loftier than the central one, springs from the annexe . Each summit is crowned by an inverted pear-shaped stone, bearing a triple cross, emblematic of the Trinity .

The windows are

mere slits; those of the tambours, or cylinders, on which the cupolas rest, are curved, and slant at an angle of 70°, as though the tambours were leaning to one side . Between the pediment and the cornice a thick corded moulding is carried round the main building . Above this comes a row of circular shields, adorned with intricate arabesques, while bands and wreaths of lilies are everywhere scupltured on the windows, balconies, tambours and cornices, adding lightness to the fabric . The whole is raised on a platform 7 ft. high, and encircled by a stone balustrade . Facing the main entrance is a small open shrine, consisting of a cornice and dome upheld by four pillars . The cathedral is faced with pale grey limestone, easily chiselled, but hardening on exposure . The interior is of brick, plastered and decorated with frescoes . Close by stands a large royal palace, Moorish in style . The archives of the cathedral were plundered by Magyars and Moslems, but several inscriptions, Greek, Slav and Ruman, are left . One tablet records that the founder was Prince Neagoe Bassarab (1512-1521); another that Prince John Radu completed the work in 1526 . A third describes the repairs executed in 1681 by Prince Sherban Cantacuzino; a fourth, the restoration, in 1804, by Joseph, the first bishop . Between 1875 and 1885 the cathedral was reconstructed; and in 1886 it was re-consecrated .

Its legends have inspired many Rumanian poets, among them the celebrated V . Alexandri (1821-1890) . One tradition describes how Neagoe Bassarab, while a

hostage in Constantinople, designed a splendid mosque for the sultan, returning to build the cathedral out of the surplus materials . Another version makes him employ one Manole or Manoli as architect . Manolet being unable to finish the walls, the prince threatened him and his assistant with death . At last Manole suggested that they should follow the ancient custom of building a living woman into the foundations; and that she who first appeared on the following morning should be the victim . The other masons warned their families, and Manole was forced to sacrifice his own wife . Thus the cathedral was built except the roof . So arrogant, however, did the masons become, that the prince bade remove the scaffolding, and all, save Manole, perished of hunger . He fell to the ground, and a spring of clear water, which issued from the spot, is still called after him .