Transylvania from above
Fortified churches, castles and old towns – a small collection of short films about the places that feature on my tours.
Biertan / Birthälm
Biertan fortified church
The fortified church of Biertan was built by Transylvanian Saxons at the end of the 15th century. At the time still a Roman Catholic church, it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Rupea / Reps
Rupea Citadel
Built in the 11th century, Rupea Citadel is the town's landmark. High above Rupea on Cohalm hill, it can be seen from far away. It was the seat of the royal judge of Reps.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Hunedoara / Eisenmarkt
Hunedoara Castle
Hunedoara Castle is one of the most important secular buildings in Transylvania. It was built in the 14th century on a limestone rock, on the remains of an older fortification.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Făgăraș / Fogarasch
Făgăraș Fortress
Work on Făgăraș Fortress began in 1310, on the site of an older wooden fortification from the 12th century. It was built to defend south-eastern Transylvania against Tatar and Ottoman raids.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Cisnădioara / Michelsberg
Cisnădioara fortified church
The fortified church of Cisnădioara sits on a hill above the village. The church was built between 1180 and 1280 as a three-nave Romanesque pillar basilica.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Moșna / Meschen
Moșna fortified church
In the centre of the village stands the mighty fortified church of Moșna, with its well-preserved double ring wall enclosing the late Gothic hall church built at the end of the 15th century.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Saschiz / Keisd
Saschiz peasant citadel
The citadel of Saschiz is a peasant fortress on a hill south-west of the village, built by its Saxon inhabitants between the 14th and 15th centuries. An inscription records the year 1343.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Axente Sever / Frauendorf
Axente Sever fortified church
The Protestant fortified church dates from the 14th century. The original church is a high Gothic hall church of quarry and river stone; a three-storey bell tower rises above the chancel.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Cârța / Kerz
Cârța Cistercian abbey
Cârța is a former Cistercian abbey in Transylvania. It was the furthest south-east of all Cistercian monasteries and lies in the village of Cârța near Sibiu.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Șura Mare / Groß-Scheuern
Șura Mare fortified church
Șura Mare lies seven kilometres north-east of Sibiu. The Protestant church, built in 1238 as a three-nave Romanesque basilica with a west tower, was destroyed during the Ottoman wars and later rebuilt as a fortified church.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Sibiu / Hermannstadt
The old town of Sibiu
Sibiu is one of the centres of the Transylvanian Saxons and was European Capital of Culture in 2007 together with Luxembourg. The video is a flight over the lit old town at night.
Playing the video opens a connection to YouTube. More on thisVideo: mictei
Want to see these places for yourself?
Many of the fortified churches and towns shown here are part of my tours – or I can build them into a route of your own.