The church

The 14th century church, built two hundred years prior to the stronghold around it, stands on the slope of a hill that dominates the settlement. It consists of a single gothic nave of modest dimensions – rather short and wide – and has no belfry. The choir has a cross-ribbed vault and the nave a vault with ribs.

At the beginning of the 16th century, several rows of brick were added to the side walls. Leaning on this upraising, a foot bridge was built, also supported by the beams that sustain the roof’s framework. In those times, an entrance for the upper level of the vestry was set up and fitted with a retractable ladder. Judging by the inscription on the western doorway, these construction works were completed in 1513. 

The fortification

Because of the steep slopes towards the west and south, the stronghold is easily defendable on these sides. The wall is 1.5 meters wide at the base, where it is built from uncut stones and river boulders. It thins up toward its upper extremities where it is made out of brick. On the interior, the wall passage leans on the mantle wall and on wooden brackets. This corridor-like passage runs by the wall and three of the towers and through the north tower which is slightly retracted towards the inside of the precinct. The wall was restored in 1966 and new bricks were added on some segments.

You can find more information about this church and many others on this CD dedicated to the fortified churches in Transylvania.