LOCATIONS

Sura Mare / Grossscheuern

The settlement is first referred to in 1332-1335 as Magnum Horreum ("The Great Barn") and later as maior villa Horrei ("the great city of the Barn"). It was of little importance prior to the Turkish invasion in 1493 when neighbouring villages were destroyed by the invading armies. Later in the same year the Romanesque basilica at Sura Mare received substantial assistance from the Province of Sibiu and the Seven Seats (Siebenburgen) to facilitate its reconstruction. It is possible that the two events are related.

Slimnic / Stolzenburg

Around 1930, a treasure containing 18 golden coins minted between 1050 and 1350 was found in the territory of Slimnic. 12 of the coins were from mints located half way down the river Elba. It can therefore be assumed that some East-German colonists lived on these lands in the 14th century however the Saxon community here is known to be much older than that. The stronghold of Slimnic (Stolzenburg) is set on the hillock called Burgbaesch. From this hill, that dominates the village below, the fortress was supposed to guard the way from Media? to the residence of the seat of Sibiu. Because of the deteriorating effects of historical events on the fortress, a set of ruins are all that remain today.

Hosman / Holzmengen

Several old documents refer to the settlement as Holzmeni (1318), Holzmengen (1479) or Holczmang (1494). These names seem to stem from holz, German for 'wood', and Menge, meaning 'bunch'. These would seem to add up to 'a bunch of wood', quite accurate for describing the first houses on the road connecting Sibiu to Nocrich.

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.

Tapu / Abtsdorf

The architectonic details of a certain church may usually be related to the economic and social status of the community it served when built. The same goes for the church of Tapu. The settlement used to be a subordinated commune in the 15th century, but evolved to be a free commune after the serf system was abolished in 1848. Because, during the 13th century, it was a property of the abbey of Igris, it was then called Villa Abbatis ("the Village of the Abbot").

Agarbiciu / Arbegen

The little village of Agarbiciu, forming part of the Axente Sever commune, is situated between the eponymous resident town of this commune and the settlement of Seica Mare. The river Visa flows right through the village, which is called Arbegen in German. Founded in the 13th century, it was initially subordinated to the Seat of Schelk (Cincu).

Homorod / Hamruden

Once upon a time, during the reign of King Geza II in the 12th century, certain Flemish guests (hospites flandrenses) arrived on a hillock near the area where Homorod now lies. Although they spoke a language different than the Saxons, they were of Germanic origin. The place they settled in bore the name of the patron saint of the existing church – Petersdorf. In the 13th century, following the great Tatar invasion they decided to move for reasons of security or because the water spring was too far away. Nevertheless, they relocated to the base of the “hill” (ham) which they then “deforested” (roden), giving their new site the name, Hamerodia, as first mentioned in 1400. A contrarian view comes from the Hungarians who say that it is from them that the colonists actually took the name, as they called the nearby flowing river hamar, meaning quickly.

Malancrav / Malmkrog

The history of this fortified church is related to the Apafi family, upper class noble landowners from Transylvania. Malancrav was a commune coveted and then incorporated by the district of Alba Iulia. But because it was a latifundium placed in the midst of the Saxon Seats of Sighisoara/ Schassburg, Medias/ Mediasch and Cincu/ Grossschenk, it was assigned by the Hungarian king to the Apafi family. The first acknowledgment of Malancrav dates from the 14th century in a series of documents related to disputes over property.

Darjiu / Dersch

"...and he wrote these in the year of the Lord fourteen hundred nineteen and he remembered the beautiful lass." These were the last words painted by the master painter in his depiction of the riders taking part in the baptism of the Apostle Paul. The main character depicted in the scene was actually the Apostle, who had said that in reference to the love of the Lord that if there was no love, then nothing existed. By the time he wrote these words, the painter had come to understand the truth of the Apostle's words. He also understood that it was not fitting to write words regarding a lover inside the Holy Church, especially on the chancel arch. Despite this, he did so to prove his love, believing that it was likely no one would notice the words he had written. Only he might know and maybe his loved one, after running away from her father, the grof, and eloping with him. The Legend of Saint Ladislau had given the painter strength and courage while he painted it and he felt it would keep him from harm's way.

Bazna / Baassen

"The prices are low and the conditions are civilized and comfortable. The music, evening events and festivities, tennis, gym equipment and beach that tone one's tanned muscles, all fully convince the visitor of the benefits of the wonderful climate and great hot springs found in Bazna." This is how the spa report in the newspaper, "Romanul" advertised Bazna in its issue on June 22nd 1919.