This 13th century pottery is more likely that of those natives that lived here before the Hungarian occupation. Furthermore, the vases were discovered in half-buried adobe houses - a type of building not used on German territory since the 11th-12th centuries. So it is likely they belonged either to Romanian folk or to the Pechenegs, or maybe even to both. Unfortunately, the vases cannot speak, so we have little further to go on in this direction.

The church

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The precise phases of construction are unknown, but it is likely that a part of the church was built in the 13th century. Most of it, however, came together in the 15th and 16th centuries. The great Gothic doorway on the western facade leads into the belfry. Over the years, further floors were added to the bell tower, battlements were added and the windows were narrowed. In a niche on the north facade still lives a little boy called Bogdan Misil. This wooden figurine, similar to the one in Sighişoara, moves with the tolling of the clock's bells.

The fortification

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Two mantle walls enclose an irregularly-shaped precinct. All that is left of the 4-metre-high inner wall is a roughly 1-metre-high enclosure. The main entry to the old precinct was through the 15th century Oat Tower. This 3-metre-high tower stood on the south-western side and served as storage room for a while.

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

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Council Square

Council Square

Online shop

Documentary movie - 15 EUR

Johann Schaas, curator of the Saxon church in Richiş (Germ. Reichesdorf, Reichersdorf, Hungarian Riomfalva) shares his beautiful memories using the Saxon dialect, about Transylvanian places that he loved and refused to leave, although it was against the historical constellation of the time. Documentary movie, 52 minutes. Subtitles: Romanian, English, German, French, Italian, Hungarian.
Best time to visit
Best tiem to visit
In April and May you can witness the beginning of spring by admiring the blossomy fields and fruit trees, the fresh green of the grass, the flowery scents and the clear blue sky. This is an ideal time for experiencing the rebirth of nature and for taking fabulous pictures.
Essential experience
Essential experience
These are some of the things you don't want to miss when you get here.
Getting under the skin
Getting under the skin
You have to "taste" the local stuff for a real Transylvanian experience.
Trademarks/Heritage
Trademarks/Heritage
The Fortified Churches are an unique and interesting fenomenon. They can be found in only a few places throughout Europe and there were more than 300 Fortified Saxon Churches in Transylvania.
Taken 111.8460 ms