The Hungarian king invited German settlers to Transylvania. The settlers were named Transylvanian Saxon. In fact they didn’t come from part of Germany called Saxony. Hungarian translated German as Saxons in Medieval Ages. Transylvania experienced by many local wars, slaughter and robberies. From XIII to XVI century the Transylvanian Saxon built fortified sites, called fortified churches because there was a church in the middle of the site. The fortified churches were built next to ordinary villages. Shooting and observation towers were part of fortification and it helped to protect the site. Transylvania fortified churches are unique on global scale. The fortified churches protected not only elites of the local communities but all inhabitants including peasants. There are many fortified churches in Transylvania. The most unique and well preserved fortified churches are on UNESCO heritage list: Prejmer, Viscri, Saschiz, Biertan, Dârjiu, Câlnic, Valea Viilor.
Harman
My favorite one is not on the UNESCO list. This is Harman and it looks like big castle. There is a St. Michael church in the middle and small apartments, shops and even school next to inner part of the walls.
Prejmer
The Prejmer forified village is less impressive than Herman one, but it has its charm. There are a few floors of small apartments next to the walls and they look like forerunners of modern blocks of flats in Eastern Europe
Biertan
The Biernat fortified village is on the UNESCO heritage list. The church is the most impressive building in the village. Pay attention to an old baptismal font, an exquisitely crafted pulpit and the wooden door leading from the church to the sacristy inside the church. The lock mechanics is a real masterpiece. Take a walk in the village outside the site. There are plenty of old houses and buildings.
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