The church

Due to the settlement's prosperity, Mosna has one of the most beautiful and biggest churches in the Tarnave valley. The construction of the three, equally high, naves and other elements inside was supervised by the master mason, Andreas Lapicida. The present church was built on the structural walls of the former basilica. As is usual, some parts of the old construction were incorporated into the new one. It is said that stones from what once were the pillars separating the old nave from its collateral naves were used to build the new church's first two columns. The impressive choir has a barrel penetration vault and is attached to a three-sided polygonal apse. The terracotta ribs of the choir cross themselves in a key stone in the shape of a unicorn. The key stone over the apse was made in 1525 and represents the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. The keystones of the nave's vaults include initials and monograms that have not yet been deciphered.

The entrance to the vaulted vestry is on the north wall of the choir. The stone doorframe is a perfect example of late Transylvanian gothic and was made by Andreas Lapicida in 1501. Two other works of the master are the over-11-metres-high Eucharist shrine by the side of the vestry door and a three-party stone stall. This stone stall has an ogee arch and was built in 1500 on the south wall of the choir. Another of Andreas' works is the pulpit.

A vaulted chapel was built over the vestry and can be accessed by the staircase inside the little tower attached to the outer wall of the choir and vestry. The same staircase leads to the fortified level of the choir and to the church's attic.

The fortification

The 9 metre high mantle walls were also built in 1520. They followed a rectangular path and connected three towers and two bastions. Initially, the gate tower was on the eastern wall but it was later moved to the south-east. It had five floors equipped with machicolations that extended outwardly.

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