Last Updated on March 20, 2023 by PowersToTravel
While staying in Sighisoara, Romania, we took a day trip out into the Transylvania countryside to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Biertan Fortified Church. Actually the name and scope of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is “Villages and Fortified Churches of Transylvania”, of which Biertan is one of seven.
One of seven? You mean there were six more of these fascinating historic villages we could have visited? You may think it strange but I feel as if I could have happily spent a month in Romania gathering so many beautiful historic sites.
Why are they UNESCO World Heritage Sites and what is unique about them? They were built by Saxons starting in the 13th century with additions continuing into the 17th century. Saxons? When I think of Saxons I think of the east-to-west ofttimes-pillaging-migration of Germanic tribes into Great Britain. In this case, it was a west-to-east migration starting in the 12th century of German warriors welcomed into the land which is now Romania Transylvania to help defend against the Central Asia tribes. Saxons were enticed by land and business opportunities to built forts and take up arms in defense of this portion of what was then the borders of the Hungarian Empire.
The Biertan Church is fortified by several layers of walls, the entrance is here:
Inside the hilltop fort is a large church and a number of other unique towers. The church is large and although not as ornately decorated as the wonderful churches of Maramures and Bucovina, is nonetheless unique.
I’m not a student of church doohickeys, like altar pieces or pulpits, but I am a fan of beautiful colorful art, and this church did not disappoint.
My camera couldn’t stop clicking, from the ornate altarpiece
To the pulpit
to whatever this is, which is suspended above the pulpit,
to the sacristy which held the treasures of the church, guarded by a strong wooden door with an amazing lock.
They say that the lock has thirteen separate mechanisms to protect the sacristy treasures. I guess the Kirkwood heritage in me was appreciative, from clock-maker, to money engraver, to gunsmith, however we didn’t make locks! That didn’t mean I couldn’t appreciate it!
The other buildings were just as fascinating. I was particularly drawn to the beautiful frescoes in what they call the “Catholic Tower”:
And the sarcophagi in another tower
And here’s a view of one the towers, which one, I’m not sure. We weren’t able to go up it.
And the glimpse to the west, of the valley beyond
After visiting Biertan with our guide, I felt as if my brain had been crammed full to overflowing of historic facts and dates. I had no context with which to place the Saxons of Transylvania. I hardly knew any details of the Hungarian Empire, except that it fell during WWI. Oops, actually that was the Austro-Hungarian Empire that fell; I wonder about the beginnings of the Hungarian Empire?
Ah, but we are heading to Hungary soon, and will learn so much more then!
The next steps in our Romania Itinerary
Day 9 – Gypsies (aka Roma) in Romania – a new perspective
Check out my key Romania article
Click here to see all of my Romania travel blog articles
