BIERTAN, TRANSYLVANIA

Topic: Biertan

Coordinator teacher: Frumuselu Mihai

Students: Babadita Stefania Besoiu Alin Curala Elena

BIERTAN, TRANSYLVANIA

Biertan, is a commune in central Romania, in the north of theSibiu Country, 80 km north of

Sibiu  and 29 km east of  Medias. Biertan is one of the most important Saxon villages with

fortified churches in Transylvania, having been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

 since 1993. The Biertan fortified church  was the see of the Lutheran Evangelical Bishop

in Transylvania between 1572 and 1867.The commune is composed of three villages:

Biertan, Copșa Mare (Gross-Kopisch; Nagykapus) and Richiș

(Reichesdorf;Riomfalva), each of which has a fortified church.

The first documentary testimony about the village dates from 1283 in a document about the taxes paid by the inhabitants of 7 villages and so it is believed to have been founded sometime between 1224 to 1283 by Transylvanian Saxons. The village settlement quickly developed into an important market town and by 1510 Biertan supported a population of about 5,000 people. Between 1468 and the 16th century a small fortified church (die Kirchenburg) was constructed and developed. After the medieval period the town declined in importance with the rise of neighbouring Sighişoara .

In the census of 1930 Biertan had 2331 inhabitants, of

whom 1228 were Transylvanian Saxons. During World War II many men were conscripted into

the Romanian army and later the Waffen-SS. After

the war many Transylvanian Saxons were expelled from the region. Following the collapse of Communism in

1990 many more left for Germany.

Today the whole commune has a population of about 2,500 and the village of Biertan alone has about

1,600 people. It is one of the most visited villages

in Transylvania, being the historically important place

of the annual reunion of the Transylvanian Saxons,

many of whom now live in Germany.

A hall church with three naves that retains a

design close to the original, it was the last such church built in

Transylvania, and was constructed between 1486 and

1524 on the site of an earlier Romanesque church. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and

built in Late Gothic style with Renaissance touches  the structure was constrained by

the hilly landscape. The choir is 18 m in length, with a rib-

vaulted ceiling, while the three naves of equal height also have rib vaulting. A defensive level above the choir has parapets and a battlement. A second,

wooden, level was demolished in 1803.

The polyptych altarpiece has 28 panels executed between 1482

and 1513 by a painter likely trained

at Vienna and Nuremberg.

In the center, there is a sculpted group:a crucifix with Jesus Christ hanging,

Mary standing and Mary Magdalene embracing the cross. The

upper side panels show visions of Ezekiel and Augustus. The

stone pulpit, which shows scenes carved in relief, dates to 1523. The richly decorated intarsia door of the sacristy has a complex lock,

displayed at the 1889 Paris World's Fair. Its central system blocks the

door in thirteen points, ensuring the safety of the valuables kept in the

sacristy.

The surroundings of the medieval church are beautiful with green hills and small country

site houses painted in colour.This place is a must see. One of the most

important places in old times, with impressive wooden staircase on the way

up.The town is lovely, one feels like taken back

in time, so quiet and peaceful.