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Transylvania, with its name coming from Latin ultra silvam (beyond the forest), is one of the most interesting and surprising regions of Romania. Its German, Hungarian and Romanian cultural traditions play a great role in its cultural and ethnic diversity. The Transylvanian plateau is surrounded by mountain peaks and drained by sparkling rivers which makes it both a pleasant place for a relaxing holiday with a landscape pleasing to the eye and an exciting place for adventure-seeking travellers.
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Fortified Churches from Transylvania
| Biertan / Birthaelm |
The folks of Biertan, sensible people but with a tendency to be on the stingy side, claimed that the people of Medias, who were up to no good, had tricked them. The story goes that, long ago, representatives of the two burgs were sent to the King so he would decide which one of the two would be the capital for the seat of the county.
| Boian/Bonnesdorf |
When the captivity of the Popes in Avignon was beginning in the West, and the Copts were persecuted by the Mamluk sultan in the East, the document Theodorich de villa Boneti was mentioning Boian for the first time as the center of the diocese of Tārnava Mică...
| Bradeni / Hennendorf |
The settlement is now called Hennendorf in German, Bradeni in Romanian and Hegen in Hungarian, but was first mentioned in 1297 under the name of Terra Heen and later as Villa Hegun in 1349. A 1350 document from Rome first mentioned the church itself by offering an indulgence for the church’s parishioners at the request of three local men by the name of Vasmuet, Andrei, and Herbord.
| Brasov / Kronstadt |
The origins of Brasov as a town are lost in the dark times of medieval age. The first written documents on Brasov go back to 1234, when the city was mentioned as CORONA, situated next to the present location of the Black Church.
| Brateiu / Pretai |
The settlement was first acknowledged in 1283 in a document that dealt with the relationship between Peter, bishop of the Superior Council of Alba-Iulia, and the priests of the Superior Council of Medias. A certain Siegfrid of Mount Mary (Siegfridus de Monte Mariae), the former name of Brateiu, is a character who appears in this document. The former name of the settlement is also related to the patron saint of the church.
| Bruiu/Braller |
The village of Bruiu, or Braller in German, is mentioned for the first time in a document from 1307. Towards 1500 the community became free, being included in the Seat of Cincu. At the middle of the 13th century, a Romanesque basilica was built in the center of the village...
| Bunesti/Bodendorf |
A document from 1337 mentioned Petrus, son of Stephan de Boda, as member of the Old People’s Council of the Seat of Sighișoara. At the time Bunești was the only free settlement that belonged to the Seat, being the third important one after Saschiz and Archita...
| Buzd / Busd |
The settlement is mentioned for the first time in a 1359 document. Buzd was a free commune of the Seat of Medias, and its clergy were part of the Superior Council of the same city. The German denomination of Busd might come from the proper name Bozo, although its exact roots are far from certain. According to demographic data, in 1516 the community had 30 households, a teacher and two shepherds. Only 16 years later, the number of households grew twofold to 61.
| Calnic / Kelling |
The Saxon name of the place is Kelling and comes from the surname of its first ruling family, the Kelling noblemen. Like other Saxon families, the Kellings surpassed their status as simple local lords (called in Romanian greavi) and acquired the power and influence of a count from that time period.
| Carta / Kerz |
Alberic de Troisfontaines jotted down a story about Carta in his 13th century chronicle of a crusade written in Latin. He says that "in Transylvania (ultra sylvas), near Carta (Kerte), an evil scheme of the demons appears to have taken place.
Fortified Churches Multimedia CD - 15 EUR
Over 400 images revealing 44 saxon villages from Transylvania and their Fortified Churches, historical facts and architectural information, 19 local legends, an interactive map of the site, explicit hand-made drawings on how were the churches made, a see-through section ; all this toghether with a large, easy-to-use dictionary which will accurately explain all the specific or not so well-known terms you will come upon. Available in 7 languages: Romanian, German, English, Hungarian, French, Spanish, Catalan
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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.
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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.
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