Fortified Church Vărd / Werd

Seleuş / Großalisch In the already free community by the end of the 14th century, a church hall in the late Gothic style was erected. In 1500 it was surrounded by an irregular defence wall, which still exists today. On the southern side there is the imposing gate tower, which serves as a bell tower at the same time, being endowed with machicoulis and a wooden defence floor, covered by a pyramidal roof. At the beginning of the 19th century the church went through many changes: the building was extended to the west, the nave was covered with a stuccoed ceiling, while the chancel preserved its ribbed cross vault. The interior furniture from the 19th century comprises the three side wooden gallery built on columns, the organ from 1843 and the beautiful neoclassical pew in the chancel. The painter Andreas Hermann from Sighişoara made the altar as early as 1713. The interior still keeps the strict sitting order of the Transylvanian Saxons, with places for men in the galleries, places for women in the hall’s benches, according to their age, as well as places in the chancel for the candidates awaiting confirmation and the members of the Presbyterian committee. Place and surroundings The village of Seleuş has many stories to tell. When taking a walk, the traveler will pass by mythical places, such as “The Silver Fountain” or “The Spring of Tears”. Hundreds of years ago, near the place called “The Sunny Hill”, there was a village destroyed by wars, a location from which only the name survived: “The Sunrise Village”. This is where the water of “The Silver Fountain” springs from, flowing away with a story of great suffering. It is said that two brothers found a treasure in this place. Soon after the fraternal love changed to hatred and one of the brothers became a murderer. As remainder of the abominable event, the place has been since known as “The Hill of Murder”. Horrified by his own deed, the criminal left the tragic place, fell down in desperation and shed icy tears. The place where his tears fell on the ground is the same one called “The Spring of Tears” today. The path on which he ran from his own hatred still has clods of ground. People say that these clods fell off the runaway’s shoes, as if the ancestors’ land was opposing his salvation through escaping. Keys are with: Mrs. Elfriede Hermann phone: +40/265/762 283 oder +40/787/750 628 Accomodation: Accomodation is possible in the former parish house Demirel Hermann phone: +40/745/192085 e-mail: demirelherrmann@gmail.com

Ungra / Galt In the 13th century, a Romanesque basilica was built on the ridge above the village, of which the main nave with remains of old Romanesque twin windows and the west portal are preserved. Stones of Roman buildings from the area were used in the construction of the church. The two aisles were destroyed during the Tartar invasion in 1658, and the fortified church itself was smoked and taken over. Traces of the arcades that once connected the nave and aisles can still be seen today. The thatched roof of the makeshift church was only replaced by a shingle roof in 1702. One hundred years later, in 1802 and 1829, two earthquakes destroyed the bell tower, which was finally demolished in 1843. The circular wall appears heterogeneous: to the east, between the gate tower and the pentagonal tower, an older section, possibly from the 13th century, is preserved, while the three sides were built to the south, west and north in the 15th to 17th centuries. In more recent times a school building was built in place of the southern ring wall. The Baroque altar dates from the second half of the 18th century. In addition, a crucifixion picture from the 16th century hangs in the nave. Today’s organ was built in 1846 by Heinrich Maywald from Brașov. Keys are with: Mr. Karl Heinz Szöcs phone: +40/743/739 901

Chiraleș / Kyrieleis In 1790 the inhabitants of Chiraleș had to tear down their huts on the hill next to the old church and rebuild them in the valley, in the Saxon alley. The small, almost square late Gothic hall church itself was demolished in 1907 due to its deterioration. A part of the Gothic tracery with a fish-bubble motif was brought to the sacristy of the new church. A new building had been planned, but could not be realized for a long time due to the poverty resulting from the time of subservience, a terrible fire in 1870 and the construction of a new school building in 1875. It was not until 1889 that the community decided to establish a church building fund. The licensing of the building order took place at Easter 1907, and construction began on May 31. One year later, the Neo-Romanesque hall church was built, whose nave was transferred with a barrel vault with lunette caps. The sacristy is located south of the choir. The bell tower is located on the street front. Since 1909, the church has had a Neo-Gothic altar with a plaster sculpture of Jesus in its center, a work by Stefan Römischer from Unirea. The baptismal font with a stone triangular base from 1847 was taken over from the old church, and a basin was placed on it in 1909. Keys are with: Mr. Mihai Turda phone: +40/756/769 081 (store across the street)

Braşov / Kronstadt The most important church of the Gothic period in Transylvania is a result of several alterations of the two preceding churches, the first Romanesque building being destroyed by an earthquake. Apart from the architectural importance of the church this is the place where the first protestant service in German language was held in 1642, this being the starting point for the reformation which was to spread throughout Transylvania. Several earthquakes during the 16th and 17th Century demanded renovation and structural support of the vaults and walls. Also the second originally planned tower at the western facade was not constructed due to the danger of earthquakes. But the heaviest damage of the church happened during the Great Fire of 1689, when it burned down completely, followed by the collapse of the vaults. Since the reconstruction works which lasted until 1772, a composition of baroque and Gothic elements hence shaped the interior of the hall church. Further renovation works, completed 1999, changed the outside appearance by cleaning the sandstone, thus making the name “black church” history. The facades show a rich decor of ornamental and figurative sculpture of sandstone, some of them having been replaced by copies to protect them from air pollution. One can see the originals inside the church. On the interior walls there is a display of 104 oriental carpets that were brought to Transylvania through the broad trade relations of the Saxon merchants to the Middle East. They were given to the parish on the occasion of festivities and since then kept and cared for during the centuries. Place and surroundings Few places in Romania can be proud of having such a density and variety of tourist attractions as the city of Braşov: from places and monuments surrounded by legends, such as “The Gate of Confession“, “Solomon’s Rocks“ or “The Witches’ Lake“, to the valuable sculptural and architectural historically certified works like “The White Tower“, “The Saints’ House” or the famous “Black Church”. The latter is considered the largest sacred monument of Romania, the most important gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul and the most important edifice erected by the Saxons in Medieval Transylvania. Dedicated to The Holy Virgin Mary before the Protestant Reformation, the church became a mourning ruin after the devastating fire that seized Braşov in 1689. Following the unfortunate event the people gave to the church its current name, which became official in the 19th Century. With an impressive height of 42m and a length of 90m, the stone titan protects a 6 tons bell, the richest collection of oriental carpets in Europe except for Turkey, and the biggest mechanical organ in the country. Visiting the Black Church: November-April in the afternoon only until 15.00h Internet: www.honterusgemeinde.ro

Şura Mică / Kleinscheuern The church in Șura Mică remained almost unchanged after the construction phases between the 13th and 15th century. It was built as a Romanesque three-aisles basilica, destroyed in 1493 during the Ottoman raids and erected again before 1506. The chancel with mullioned windows and ribbed vault originate from that time. The central nave was covered with a barrel vault with a ribbing net and the western tower was equipped with a defence level. The western and northern portals date back to the same period, as well as the small defence tower above the northern entrance securing the church from the side of the valley. Only some ruins of the defence wall built in the same time are still preserved. The interior was only slightly changed as time went by. At the beginning of the 17th century, the church received its Baroque altar and the galleries. The pulpit and the organ however were only built later on, in 1913. Place and surroundings Walking through the village the tourist will go through “The Sacred Hole”, then past “The Wolf’s Fountain” and “The Bear’s Lodge”, through “The Valley of Roses”, finally reaching “The Sunny Side”. These fabulous street names add to the place a magic that encourages dreaming and birth of fairy-tales. It is said that one evening at the gathering of the women in the village, a young woman who was famous for her courage swore to go to the cemetery at midnight to cook pancakes on a certain grave. Her lover found out about this and, to play a trick on her, hidden under the ground of the grave she had in mind. Shortly after that, the young woman appeared, lit the fire, poured the oil in the pan and started heating it. Suddenly, the ground was shaking and gloomy sounds came from below her feet. Without loosing her temper, she strongly grabbed the pan and poured the hot fat over the head of the ghost, her lover in fact, which costs the man his life. Obviously, courage without wisdom does not always have good results. But a walk through Şura Mică will certainly have very pleasant consequences. Keys are with: Mr. Heinrich Rosinger phone: +40/723/054 807

Cincşor / Kleinschenk In the second half of the 13th century, a chapel erected in Cincşor was the core for building the actual church, which was completed in 1421. The church was fortified step by step in the 15th and 16th century, as testified by the timber frame structures. The chancel was reinforced with buttresses and widened along with the bell tower with a wooden parapet walk. In addition, the villagers built a fortification wall with 4 defence towers and an outer moat around the church. In the following centuries, the village faced difficult times. Among other things, it was burned down during an attack in 1599. The community flourished only after 1850, when not far away from the village a bridge was built for the first time on the river Olt. Place and surroundings In the 12th Century the German-speaking settlers have reached the foothill of Făgăraşi Mountains. Among others they built here the village of Cincşor, which had a great strategic role due to its location on the banks of the river Olt. Because the inhabitants had to bare many cruel attacks for centuries, they have built the church in the middle of the village and gradually fortified it. For this purpose they have used even the stones from a former roman military camp, which was once located on a nearby hill. The church still preserves its medieval appearance: between walls and defensive towers the time has stood still for centuries.The village itself has many things to offer, starting with the beautiful traditional Saxon farmhouses. Unlike the troubled times of the past, Cincşor is today a peaceful place, where the summer months harmoniously vibrate with the organ music from the church. Tourism Both parish house and school offer high-standard, well-equipped and lovingly decorated guest rooms with real Saxon flair. Guests and visitors are welcome to enjoy the “New Saxon Cuisine” for the preparation of which only fresh and regional products are used. Further information can be obtained here: www.transilvania-cincsor.ro Activities EU-Projekt “18 Fortified Churches” Responsible: Consistory of the Evanghelic Church A. C. in Romania Costs: 190.000 EUR Period of time: 2011-2014 Keys are with: Mrs. Carmen Schuster phone: +40/744/373 090 Opening hours are valid from April to October. Groups are kindly asked to make an appointment with. Permanent exhibition: Peter Jacobi, Pictures of a Trip – Saxon Fortified Churches. Information stand Region Transylvania and Landscape of the Fortified Curches in the former evangelic school (directly beside the fortified church) Mrs. Carmen Schuster phone: +40/744/373090 e-mail: schustercarmen@yahoo.de Accomodation: Modern equipped guest rooms in the parish house and in the former school Mrs. Carmen Schuster phone: +40/744/373090, adress: Cincşor, nr. 112, e-Mail: schustercarmen@yahoo.de. Hotel: The guesthouses in the Old Ev. School, in the former Parish House and the 2 farmhouses 15 double rooms, 4 apartments bathrooms, restaurant, library, lounge Parish House 1 apartment bathroom, dining room, library, lounge, kitchen for all rooms breakfast service is included full or half board on request WiFi Information and Booking: online e-mail: kulturproject@gmail.com phone: (0040-744) 373090 Internet: www.transilvania-cincsor.ro Facebook: www.facebook.com/cincsor.casedeoaspeti/

Seleuș / Kleinalisch The simple hall church with a round chancel and rectangular windows stands in the center of the village of Seleuș. Its hall has a simple wooden ceiling. Reconstructions took place in 1678 and 1795. The bell tower stands southeast of the church and the ring wall and was built in 1758 under the supervision of master builder Johannes Rühn from Sighișoara. According to the inscription, the Baroque altar dates back to 1763, showing a crucifixion in the center flanked by sinuous Corinthian columns. The classical Samuel Joseph Maetz organ dates from 1830 and is decorated with gilded floral ornaments. It was restored or repaired several times in the 20th century. Keys are with: Mr. Michael Krestel phone: +40/365/405 262 Hotel: saxon farmhouses up to 6 persons Parish House 4 double rooms common kitchen, big yard Information and Booking: Rolf Schuster e-mail: post@klein-alisch.eu phone: (0049-179) 3219145 Internet: www.klein-alisch.eu

Chirpăr / Kirchberg In Chirpăr it is still possible to observe the original three aisles Romanesque basilica built in the 13th century. Without significant changes the chancel with groin vault and apse, the arcades to the side aisles and the western tower are still preserved until today. In the 15th century the assembly was surrounded by a polygonal fortification wall with outer bailey and six defence towers, which are not preserved. Around 1500 a defence level was built above the western tower, but no military systems were foreseen for the church itself. In 1862 the nave and the aisles were covered with a flat plastered ceiling and a lower roof was built above the nave. The interior furnishing originates from the 18th century. The 1778 organ rests on the western masoned gallery. The 1795 altar was built in the workshop of the master Johannes Folbert in Sighişoara. Place and surroundings Because of the many Ottoman attacks, the 7 level bell tower was fortified around the year 1500 and today, 500 years later it enjoys the status of the highest tower in the Hârtibaciu Valley. Despite its troubled existence, this stone soldier has protected not only the safety of the villagers, but also the peace of their hearts and their well being. In the old days there was a custom in Chirpăr that after the religious service all villagers would gather for dance in front of the church. Another very appreciated custom both here and in all Saxon villages was the so-called „Maibaum“ (“the May tree” in German). This ritual has a long history, since it started to be celebrated in ancient times. In the 13th Century the tree used to signify the will to live and it was cherished as a persecutor of dark and evil forces. In the 16th Century it takes over the role of “Liebesmaien” (“The May of love” in German): the country lads were placing the trees as messengers of love in the yards of their beloved ones, revealing secret loves to the community. Activities Roof Maintenance Program Responsible: The Coordination Office for Fortified Churches Costs: 1.770 Euro Time frame: autumn 2007 Description: Roof maintenance workings done to the church and tower, cleaning and repairing of all drains. Keys are with: Mr. Wolff Johann, phone: +40/269/586145

Caţa / Katzendorf A pier basilica, easily recognizable by its main features, constitutes the core of the fortified church in Caţa. Inside, the pillars with arcades are a typical Romanesque construction to connect the side aisles to the nave. On the northern clerestory two uncovered false windows can be seen. The Romanesque chancel as well as the apse were rebuilt during the 15th century in Gothic style. The cross vault collapsed 1894 together with the western tower and it was replaced later on by a flat ceiling. The tower was never rebuilt. The massive fortified curtain wall dating back to the 15th century still preserves four of initial six defence towers. The pentagonal “priest’s tower” offers views over the garden of the parish house. The assembly was provided with a second defence wall with outer bailey as early as the 17th century. Its northern side was demolished in 1884 and in 1937 for using the resulting material to build the school and the community hall. Place and surroundings The precise date of the village’s establishment remains unknown. While the first documented reference dates back to the beginning of the 15th century, the foundation of the Romanesque basilica in the village’s center was laid as early as 1250 and the church was also fortified later on. The village developed at the crossing point of two main roads, thus being often affected by enemy attacks and fires throughout the centuries. During the 17th and the 18th century the village was plundered and torched six times. A strong fire heavily damaged the fortified church around 1706, while the parish house and the school were entirely burned down. With its 2.500 residents Caţa is today a rather quiet and peaceful place. In the village’s center, in the parish house lives the Transylvanian Saxon writer and film maker Friedrich Schuller. He restored the homestead where his father used to live as priest of the village and regularly hosts nowadays cultural and literary events: for example, in 2011 it was awarded here the first “Wordsmith of Caţa” price. Schlüssel sind bei: Frau Markus Anna phone: +40/268/248 564