Must-See Fortified Saxon Churches near Brasov

If you’ve been reading my blog you’ve probably realized by now that I am a huge fan of forgotten Saxon fortified churches. And by huge I mean the kind of obsessed church-hunter type, because it’s the first thing we point out on the map when visiting a new area (I know, it’s probably an unhealthy obsession). And although sightseeing in Brasov was fun and all, the real high for us was visiting 6 different churches on our way back from the city. Although not as famous and well-kept as Biertan, I definitely think these stunning historical edifices are well worth your time. Check them out:

CODLEA

Codlea fortification can be found 15 kilometers west of Brasov in a charming little town with narrow streets dotted by colorful houses. The church was first built in the 13th century, but the walls around it were merely constructed in the 15th century. The whole edifice has been renovated many times and can be visited inside-out today. You can even climb up to its tower! PS: get lost a little bit around these stunning little streets to really feel the vibe of the place!

CRISTIAN

Situated a mere 13 kilometers from the city is the lovely fortification of Cristian. You can see from afar that the church is in excellent condition, recently renovated and freshly-painted. Some of the original sections of the wall are also in great condition, despite being a few hundred years old. The Gothic-style church was built in the 15th century. Fun fact: because it is located in an open field, the church was actually protected by two sets of walls to keep out intruders.

GHIMBAV

Halfway between Codlea and Cristian you will encounter the small town of Ghimbav and its fortification. Another 15th century gem, this fortification has been pretty well-preserved mainly due to the fact that it was never assaulted, but always turned over peacefully to enemy forces. Albeit the walls featured 7 towers initially, today only 5 of them can be seen.

HĂRMAN

11 kms to the northeast of Brasov one can encounter the lovely Harman fortification, my personal favorite edifice of the six enumerated here. Similarly to the previous constructions, this too was built in the 15th century by the knights of the Teutonic Order. The church was protected by a double wall (interior wall – 4.5 m, exterior wall – 12 m tall) and a total of 7 towers. I must admit it is my favorite mostly because of the stunning gate that greets visitors, fitting in perfectly with the rest of the building.

SÂNPETRU

The Teutonic Knights arrived to Sanpetru in 1240, but after that the history of the village is a bit ambiguous due to the fact that a fire destroyed the archives in 1625. From what information remained, it is clear that the fortification had more than a tumultuous history, having been burned down and destroyed many times by enemy forces. With such a difficult past, I am quite amazed that the church and its walls managed to survive in such an impressive way.

BOD

Concluding our list is the fortification of Bod, lying 15 kilometers to the northeast from the city of Brasov. The original church was built as early as the 13th century, was renovated in 1710, but collapsed because of a strong earthquake in 1802. The church was rebuilt in the following years and has been renovated very recently.

Practical Info:

• The best way to see these churches is by car. Public transport is scarce and itineraries are hard to find, so you can save a lot of time by hiring a car.
• The roads aren’t always perfect – make sure you do a bit of research when choosing your path.
• You can get the keys and a guided tour from a local (generally a neighbor or the priest himself). The information about where you can find them is always written at the entrance.
• After the designated person opens the gates, he/she will likely show you around. Be respectful during the private tour and don’t hesitate to ask questions, they are always happy to go into details.
• At the end of your visit, tips are always welcome. They generally go either to the church or a poor family, so be generous.

If  you liked this post, you might want to check out a similar one about the Must-See Fortified Saxon Churches near Sighisoara. Don’t hesitate to pin the image to help spread the word! 🙂

Related posts:

UNESCO: Valea Viilor Medieval Fortified Church UNESCO: Câlnic Fortress Must-See Fortified Saxon Churches near Sighisoara UNESCO: Biertan Fortified Church of Transylvania