The church

It is likely that the construction of the church was started around the end of the 14th century. The single-nave church is built in the mature gothic style and has no bell tower. Judging by the inscription on the southern wall of the choir, the vault was probably built in 1507. It is a barrel penetration vault covered with a rhombic network of terracotta ribs

A similar vault exists in the church at Bazna, which was built only three years before. The nave is narrow and long. Its exterior walls are reinforced by 10 buttresses, while the pentagonal apse is reinforced by five. A vestry was built between two of the buttresses on the north wall and had two bays. Little is left of the terracotta ribs that used to cover the vault. The organ is also set in the choir, above the altar. 

The fortification

The precinct has a rectangular shape, except for the south-western corner which was adapted to fit the flow of the river. The 10 metre high curtain walls were built at the beginning of the 16th century in red-brown and yellow-grey sandstone. The enormous amounts of stone needed were carried from the Lapes (Lapus) valley, which supplied most of the nearby building sites. This important quarry was the object of repeated conflict among the surrounding villages of Copsa Mare, Malancrav, Noul Sasec and Valchid.  Because it was so heavily disputed, control was transferred from one to the other on several occasions, or at other times it was divided among them. Other strongholds that are built on flat ground usually have the towers positioned at their corners. At Valchid, they are placed in the middle on each side of the mantle walls.

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