Fortified Curches from Transylvania - Locations

Brasov | Sibiu | Sighisoara

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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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FELDIOARA / MARIENBURG

The current name of the settlement is of Hungarian origin, F�ld-V�r, meaning "earth rampart”, but it has not always been called this. The German name is Marienburg, meaning the city of Mary. The Virgin Mary was the patron of the Teutonic Order who first instated the stronghold of Feldioara.

Teutonic stronghold

After the departure of the Knights, one of the strongholds referred to in the document bore the name of Castrum Sanctae Mariae. It stood on top of the Feldioara hill and was surrounded on three sides by the Homorod River.

Peasant's stronghold

The present fortress bears little visible trace of the Teutonic construction. The towers and the curtain walls that connected them were most likely built by the Saxon community that was left behind after the Knights’ expulsion. The exact period they were built in cannot be pinpointed. What is certain is that, after the Tatar invasion, strongholds started to appear everywhere. As Feldioara had also gone through fire and brimstone, the villagers rebuilt an oval precinct, accessed from the south, with mantle walls that followed the configuration of the terrain. Of the several defensive towers only the western tower was preserved.

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

Council Square

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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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These are some of the things you don't want to miss when you get here.

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You have to "taste" the local stuff for a real Transylvanian experience.

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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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