Saxon Fortified Churches
Some of the best Romania has to offer is concentrated in this amazing area. The highlight is the rural beauty that charmed prince Charles and not only…
Saxon Fortified Churches
Once in Transylvania you must visit some of its fortified churches. The Saxons where called in these lands in the 1300, to colonize remote areas, settle cities and build fortifications to last against the attacks of the Mongols and later on the Turks/ottomans. And almost each and every village of Transylvania got a church, fortified, so the locals could hide and live in it for at least one year if the hoards where plundering the area. They are superb buildings, that take you back in time and you should see at least our top 3 favorites!
Located in Brasov area, Harman and Prejmer fortifications have been the set for several movies as their medieval charm is unbeatable still after 600 years. The rooms for each family of the community have tiny windows and wooden balconies and access stairs as in a kid’s story with dwarfs. Tiny kingdoms built by peasants and traders, which resisted year after year to no less than 50 attacks!
Biertan is a massive, heavy, sturdy construction, close by Sighisoara. The church itself is located on a hill, defended by several towers, linked in between by two sets of curtain walls! It is unbelievable how strong and rich this medieval community must have been in order to afford to build and maintain such a structure! And how wise as the story shows! In the couples tower you and your wife/husband, in case of a wish to divorce, would be locked for 1 month with 1 spoon, 1 fork, 1 knife, and 1 piece of everything…in order to learn to appreciate and share… Wand more stories? Check our tours and come to see us!
Biertan village
Viscri - angry geese
Ruined Carta Abbey
Cincsor fortified church
Blacksmith, Chirpar
Photos by Sorin Onisor
Our Tours
Essential Romania Weekend Tour
If you only have a couple of days to get a taste of Romania, if you plan an extended weekend or you are just finishing a cruise in Bucharest and you want some more, this is the tour for you. We’re quite sure you’ll be back for more!
Transylvania Step by Step Tour
Saxon Transylvania is a slice of medieval rural Europe. You’ll explore this fascinating area, visit the superb UNESCO world heritage fortified churches, the medieval citites of Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu, the villages that charmed the royals.
Get Inspired
Viscri, the village Prince Charles made famous
The village of Viscri, or Weisskhirch (in Romanian "white church"), as it was formerly known, is less than two-hour drive from Brasov. The village was included in the UNESCO heritage list in 1999 and features on the world map of traditional villages. The road up there is dotted with plenty of attractions, so if you leave Brasov in the morning, you might only reach Viscri in the afternoon.
Rural life and local crafts in Transylvania
Transylvania offers sights and attractions to suit all tastes, but the authenticity found in the old rural settlements is something everyone loves. Transylvanian villages are places with a special charm, and the landscape of the area recalls memories of ancient times.
Peasants, Merchants and Knights – a Real Life Catan Story
The Saxon history of Transylvania begins unofficially in middle 1100's and officially in 1224 when the King of Hungary allowed the German peasants and merchants from Luxembourg and Flanders area to settle the southern part of the land to protect the Kingdom from invaders ...
Prejmer – UNESCO World Heritage fortified church
Prejmer fortress, the largest fortified church in Romania When they hear the word Brasov, most people think of the famous Black Church. But this is not the only medieval landmark in the area! Just 17 km north-east of Brasov (Kronstadt) you’ll find Prejmer...
What others say: A Transylvania Road Trip by BlondeAtlas
An interesting blog post by BlondeAtlas. Some nice tips and some good words about their experience in Romania. I particularly liked her choice of restaurants, Bistro de l'Arte in Brasov and Kulinarium in Sibiu are also two of our favourite restaurants. Having...
4 days in Saxon Country – Biertan, Richis
On the last day, we focused on visiting two major UNESCO fortified churches - Biertan and Richis. We joined the fantastic guide Peter Suciu who did a great job walking us through the history of the place. Once one of the...