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PREJMER / TARTLAU
The church
The building was done in Burgundy Gothic style, previously introduced by the Cistercians at Cārţa. The arms of the Greek cross are grouped around a main square area and they are covered by cross-ribbed six-part vaults. Their ribs lean on brackets similar to the ones at Cārţa. The narrow, pointed-arch windows of the choir as well as the round, perforated ones in the vaults' lunettes are characteristic to the Cistercian style. All this resemblance to the church of Cārţa is due to the fact that the two were built simultaneously and in close relation. Moreover, it seems that one of the master workers of Cārţa also worked at Prejmer, as the rectangular side-chapels indicate. 
The most valuable artefact in the church is the folding triptych altar which was manufactured around 1450 and is the oldest in Transylvania. Its folding wings are painted on both sides and depict the Passion of Christ. The central part depicts the Crucifixion. The simple compositions are typical of the iconography patterns and have a particularly impressive glow of the tones of red, brought forth by the golden background. The name of the master painter is not known but he is speculated to have had a Viennese formation.
The fortification
The fortification now has two precincts: a large circular one and a smaller one which supports the vaulted passageway of the gate. The walls of the circular premises are as thick as 5 metres at their base and rise up 12 metres above ground level. It is fitted with battlements and machicolation and reinforced on the outside by several quasi-circular bastions. On the inside the wall is lined all around with larders that even provided housing during times of war. These larders were accessed by a complex system of ladders and platforms.
The fortified church at Prejmer underwent a lot of interventions, as did so many other monuments in Transylvania. But following the rehabilitation works done during the 1960s and 1970s, it has recovered its original appearance. After 1990 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
You can find more information about this church and many others on this CD dedicated to the fortified churches in Transylvania.
Photo Album - 15 EUR
Discover Terra Ultrasilvana, the land beyond the forests, a cultural landscape that remained essentially unchanged over the centuries. Explore the vivid picture of southern Transylvania in over 200 outstanding photographs. English / German, 128 pages, 21 X 28 cm
