Watch towers, windows for shooting or throwing fuel oil over the besiegers, secret passages, water ditches: all are disturbing, if barbaric attributes of a real city. But could this also signal a house of God? Well, yes. Spread around Transylvania, built in the middle of the plain or on a hill top, dominating the region with its height and stateliness, the Fortified Saxon Churches remain proofs of the brutality of medieval times.

The change of some cult edifices into cities was an inevitable result of the numerous foreign invasions, including those of some settlements where the strongest building was the church. The German population that settled here in the 12th century during the Magyar occupation of Transylvania strengthened its borders by doing so. The Saxons (Sasi), as these colonists’ name remains to this day, marked the entire civilization from the Transylvanian area, bringing with them not only architectural influences but also the specific topographical structure and technique of the crafts in which they excelled.

Carta, Harman, Axente, Biertan, Prejmer: all are old names, loaded with local history, of city-churches whose value, construction, and precious cult and furniture items, made their full restoration possible, as included in the UNESCO heritage.

Built over the course of four centuries, the architecture of over 300 such edifices (among which nearly 150 are still preserved) is marked by the architectural influences from Southern Germany, Bohemia and Austria, spanning from the Roman epoch until the end of Gothic. According to the era in which they were built, these include fortified churches, fortified precincts, and even city-churches. Their organization was complex and included all details necessary for a military drill. Around the church, whose shape was sometimes modified to allow a surrounding wall, massive towers, palisades and other various defence works, there were erected buildings with cellars and barns, as well as towers belonging to the guilds that had the duty of defending them.

Learn More about The Saxons...
The Saxons were initially Germans who arrived in Transylvania at the beginning of the 12th century, invited by King Geza II of Hungary. They came from the provinces of Rhine (Luxembourg) and Mosel (Saxonia), for which they were called “Saxons”. Once settled here and taking benefits from special privileges – the free use of rivers and forests, and tax exemptions, among others – they started to organize, in an exemplary way, and “implement” the German culture and civilization.

Medias As in other fortified churches in the area, the city of Medias was built at the beginning of the 12th century by Saxons. After the construction was finished, it was called “castle”. A vaulted tunnel opens the way toward the mysterious place. High defence walls, two gates, 6 towers, and solid bulwarks present themselves directly. Among them, the Trumpet players’ Tower, 68,5m high, rivalled St. Stephen’s Tower of Vienna at the time it was built. Because of the soil structure, it has a 2,28m deviation at the vertical, placing it among 12 similar constructions in the world. Cristian, Cisnadie, and Cisnadioara are villages that house other city-churches of secular ages, each giving off a distinctive charm.

Carta  Only 43km far from Sibiu, on the road to Brasov, the village of Carta hides a real treasure: the Cistercian monastery of Carta, one of the oldest and most important monuments of early Gothic in Transylvania. The church was founded by monks of the Cistercian order, in 1202. Devastated by the Tartar invaders, the monastery was rebuilt in Gothic style by the local Saxons.

Saschiz At Saschiz the troubled history of the Middle Ages is notable in two defence works. One of them is the Peasant Fortified City, with high walls and towers built exclusively of stone, situated on a hill covered with forests near the village hearth. The construction of the refuge city belongs to the transitional period from Roman to Gothic style, achieved in the 14th century. The city stone walls were 7-9m high, fortified with square defence towers. From the old city there is also preserved a 65m deep well.

Mosna An ancient Saxon settlement, Mosna houses one of the most commanding and strangely-fortified churches. Built midway through the 15th century, it is one of the most beautiful edifices in late Gothic style. The gate tower with 5 floors, the defence tower and the sideways entrances watched over by other towers are impressive.

The Vineyards Valley (Valea Viilor) The Vineyards Valley lies 50km from Sibiu on the national Sibiu-Medias road. St. Peter Church belongs to the fortified complex that dates from the 13th century, but it has undergone many important changes in the 15th –16th century, when the double-fortified system was added. The Western tower, as well as the chorus, dominates the surrounding constructions. Architecturally speaking, the edifice belongs to the late Gothic period. The altar, the font, and the rest of the pews are from the 18th century. The furniture is also valuable, dating from 1526. In the precinct there is still a drinking water source, used by inhabitants during the historical sieges.

Biertan Between Medias and Sighisoara, in an area that introduces the Saxon civilization every step of the way, the settlement of Biertan offers one of the most commanding and valuable fortified churches in Transylvania. Precisely that is why in 1995 this was included in the world architectural patrimony sponsored by UNESCO.

Built on a hill in the middle of the village, the church dominates with its commanding silhouette of the entire area. The walls are emphasized by the verticality of the towers, the defence bulwarks, and of the Gothic windows. The church in late Gothic style was built at the beginning of the 16th century and for several hundreds of years it was the residence of various Lutheran bishops. Three fortified precincts protect the church, each having its own gate tower which still impresses the visitors.

Once arrived inside the church, visitors should definitely stop to admire the stone pulpit, the altar with wooden carvings, a splendid crucifix, and the impressive ceiling decorated with Gothic ribs and rich iron work. The iron lock guarding the sacristy is remarkable; equipped with an ingenious secret system of opening and cocking, the lock has 22 bolts that start moving with a single move of the key.

Harman Going from Brasov to Sighisoara, visitors witness a high tower that guards the village of Harman. The Harman fortified church was raised by the Cistercian monks between 1280-1290, and remains today as a place of prayer. Later Gothic elements were added, including the defense walls and bulwarks.

Rasnov Only 15km far from Brasov there is the city of Rasnov, unique by its position and architecture. After crossing a forestry road full of windings, visitors reach the city gates situated on a hilltop watching out over the road that comes from the heart of Transylvania and that crosses through the mountains.

Throughout its almost 600-years-old history, the city has successfully lasted the numerous sieges. The only time it opened its doors was due to a lack of potable water, a problem later solved by the 150m well eventually dug into the rock. Mainly restored, the city still preserves its historical and stormy Middle Ages atmosphere.

Fagaras Another city which has endured the passing of time is Fagaras. Situated in the centre of the town bearing the same name, the city was defended traditionally by two natural barriers: the proud mountains of Fagaras and the Olt River.
Raised in the 12th-13th century and later turned into a Renaissance castle, Fagaras was one of the most historically-important fortresses in Transylvania. Then, it guarded the almost 50 villages nearby. The walls and towers are trapezoidal and access is even now made on a bridge that crosses a deep defence ditch. Today, the city houses The Fagaras Country Museum with numerous archaeological exhibitions, attention to medieval history, and folk art collections.

Prejmer Just a few kilometres away, but on the road leading to Sfantul Gheorghe, visitors encounter Prejmer, a once-strong city and today a UNESCO monument. Today, from the old city church, even the 3-4m thick exterior walls have been preserved.

The church foundation was made by the Teutonic knights in the 12th century, and its construction was ended later by the Saxon invasion. An outpost facing the conquerors’ invasions, the city built arch-shaped bulwarks, iron gates and bridges that were risen when needed. They protected the church and several houses that could shelter the entire community during a siege.

Rupea Another fortified city that must not be missed by any history lover is Rupea, built on a basalt massif near the road that connects Transylvania to Romanian and Moldavia. Dating from the times of the Dacs, when it was called Ramidava, the city was destroyed by the attacks of migratory peoples and rebuilt by the Saxons in the 14th century.

It has an amazing snail shell shape due to three rows of construction: The Upper City (the oldest), The Middle City and The Lower City. The traveller who reaches up is rewarded with exquisite views of the surrounding areas.

Imposibil sa deschid fisierul pentru citire.