| Carol Benesch | |
| Nationality: | Austrian Empire Kingdom of Romania |
| Birth Date: | 9 January 1822 |
| Birth Place: | Jägerndorf, (today Krnov, Czech Republic) |
| Death Place: | Bucharest, Romania |
| Significant Buildings: | Peleș Castle St. Joseph Cathedral Bucharest Brâncovenesc Hospital Bucharest reconstruction of Tismana Monastery reconstruction of Bistrița Monastery |
Carol Benesch (January 9, 1822, Jägerndorf, Austro-Hungarian Empire, today Krnov, Czech RepublicOctober 30, 1896, Bucharest, Romania) was a Silesian architect of Historicism and Eclecticism orientation established in the Kingdom of Romania.
He was the father of Oscar Benes (1866-1925), chief architect of Bârlad.
In different documents his name is spelled Carl Benesch, Carol Benisch, Carl Benisch, Carol Beneș, Carl Beneș, Carol Beniș, Carl Beniș.[1]
Benesch studied architecture in Vienna. Shortly after graduation he was asked by Prince Nicolae Bibescu-Brâncoveanu to come to Wallachia, where he became an architect in Bucharest. In 1865 he was nominated Chief Architect of the City of Bucharest.
Benesch was founding member and first vice-president of The Architects Society in Romania (Societatea Arhitecților din România) (1891-1892).[2]
In recognition of his personal service to the Holy See and the Church, for his works of the St. Joseph's Cathedral (Catedrala Sfântul Iosif), in 1881, Benesch was awarded by Pope Leo XIII with the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great, Knight Commander KCSG, being named Carol Vallaquiensi (Carol of/from Wallachia).
Benesch received his Romanian citizenship by decree from King Carol I of Romania, who waived the usual lengthy process.
Benesch died on October 30, 1896. He is buried in the Catholic wing of the Bellu cemetery in Bucharest.