DEALU FRUMOS / SCHOENBERG Like most of the free communes of the "lordly county", Dealul Frumos had its own Romanesque basilica since the early 13th century. It had three naves, a square-planned choir and a semicircular apse, but no belfry. Due to historical events, as well as to the development of firearms, it became necessary to build two defensive towers.
The central nave was initially covered by a flat ceiling, but that was later replaced with a barrel vault. The side naves were brought up to the level of the central nave and vaulted in a similar fashion. The roman arches in the main nave were transformed into gothic ones. The two side naves each had a doorway, of which the southern one preserves some Romanesque elements. Building the bell tower resulted in the loss of the initial main doorway on the western wall and in the shortening of the main nave. This reconstruction was probably done in the 15th century, at the same time with the one in the nearby Merghindeal.
The fortification
Like most of the churches in southern Transylvania, the one in Dealul Frumos was also fortified with a rectangular mantle wall at the beginning of the 16th century.
You can find more information about this church and many others on this CD dedicated to the fortified churches in Transylvania.
