The German name of Pratei and the Romanian one of Brateiu are both rooted in the Latin word protodiaconus. The Hungarian name also bears some resemblance to the Latin root, as Batharhely means "the monk's village". In various documents the settlement has at times been called other names that include Monte Mariae (1283), Maro (1289), Prathia (1359 and 1516) and Brethay (1528).

The Saxon name of Pretoa has remained almost unchanged since 1359. Johannes Fabinni was a priest here from 1615 to 1639. He was the owner of a famous book known as an incunabul. The book, which was entitled "Opuscula Plurima", was written by Augustinus Aurelius and printed in 1491 in Strasbourg. It is now part of the collection of the Brukental museum in Sibiu. On the same cultural note, another intellectual bearing the same name and educated at Halle, Berlin, and Tuebingen (Germany), was head priest of the parish in the 19th century. 

The church

The construction of the church took place mostly in the mature gothic period. The church has three naves, two of which flank the bell tower. The fortification of the church proper took place in the 16th century, and several modifications were made at this time. The choir, which was enclosed on three sides, was covered with a barrel penetration vault. The latter supported a defensive level built of brick raised on brick arches. This floor was linked to the bell tower-keep through the attic above the nave. All of these works combined to turn the eastern and southern parts of the church into actual strongholds. Because of this, they were also linked with the southern gate-tower and the eastern bastion by the mantle walls.

The fortification

The building of the ramparts surrounding the church occurred more or less simultaneously with the fortification work done on the church. The precinct has an almost oval shape, but the irregularities of the surrounding landscape dictated that several adjustments be made.

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