Biertan, formerly known as Ghiertan or named in the saxon dialect Birthalm or Bierthalmen, is a fortified church situated at 80 km far from Sibiu county, Romania.
This fortified church is also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was certified documentary for the first time in the year 1224. It is also the most impresive medieval stronghold from Transilvania, attested as stronghold in 1397.
The church is surrounded by vineyards and streets full of history. The medieval architectural complex is formed by the church and a belt of fortifications, both settled on a hill. The hall type church occupies the central part of the complex, being built between 1490 and 1520, in the late gothic style. The church is also the last one built in this style.
The construction is a monumental one with three halls of equal heights. You can enter in this church by passing through three gates: the west gate, the north gate and the south gate.
Masters from Wien and Nurnberg are the spiritual fathers of the people who made between 1483 and 1513 the gorgeous shrine of the church, the biggest from Romania.
The pulpit, sculpted in stone in 1500 by a master named Ulrich from Brasov county betrayes the strong south-german influence.
The visitors who decide to admire this places can also see sorrounding buildings like Clock Tower, Bell Tower, the Gate Tower and many other cultural buildins from the past.
