An old settlement, Medias opens its gates generously to those who want to see the way time bears fruit between the Transylvanian hills. The setting up and the historic development of the town reflect the common destiny of the Romanians, the Hungarians, the Saxons and the other nations in a continuous process which belongs to their history.

Without an ethnical identity, anonymous, rough hands which know how to create but also how to caress their babies cheek, have begot the past and the present, have raised towers meant to bring the people of this land one step closer to God.

Medias cannot be taken out of its surroundings, because it is part and parcel of these places, where every town and village is a wonder in this huge open-air museum: Transylvania. The images, forms and colors from this small guide are an invitation for you to come and see, but also a gift to the soul of those whom destiny has carried them a long way from here ...

By browsing through it, they will be able to conjure up memories faithfully kept by the old burgh and by those who are still here.

Medias is the second important town of the Sibiu county by its size, population (63,204 inhabitants in 1995) and economic growth. During the Middle Ages, the city, like most other towns in Transylvania, was strongly fortified. The Evangelic Church "St. Margaret" or the "Castle" represented the core around which the citadel gradually developed.

The first document relating to the existence of the town goes back to June 3rd, 1267; it was also mentioned later on, in documents of 1283 and 1318. Between 1480 and 1534, the castle was encompassed with a last fortification which had strong walls and defense towers. The citadel used to have three rows of walls with three main gates (Forkesch to the south, Zekesch to the east, and Steingasse to the north), four secondary gates and 19 bastions with defense towers.

The medieval centre of the city has a particular charm, with narrow winding lanes, centuries-old houses and a large square towards which converge the main streets of the town. Among the worth visiting towers and bastions of the city are the Furriers'  Bastion (1641), the Blacksmiths' Tower (1641), the Wheelwrights' Tower (17th c.), the Knife-Makers'  Bastion (15th c.), the Gate’s Tower (16th c.).

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