Biertan is not just an amazing fortified church built more than 500 year ago, it is a travel back in time. 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.
Biertan is located in the south-eastern part of Transylvania, quite in the center of Romania. The impressive church is protected by the outer walls and several towers built in the same time with the church. The total surface of the complex covers almost 1 hectare. The church is 45.15 meters long, 22.7 meters broad and 16 meters high. In 1993 it was included in the UNESCO world patrimony, being considered the most valuable of the seven Saxon attraction points included on that list.
Built between the 15th and 16th century, in Gothic style and with Renaissance influences, this monument is the one that keeps best its initial aspect. The main construction is represented by a hall church with three cellas arched in network. The altar is sculptured in wood, and it has 24 icons presenting biblical scenes.
Visitors can also admire the towers surrounding the church, namely the Clock Tower, the Bell Tower, the Gate Tower and the Bacon Tower.The whole site has seven towers. The Clock Tower is at the North East side of the church, at the first wall, having shooting windows and a wood foot bridge. The clock still works and someone rotates every day the handle which sets going the huge mechanism.
One of the most interesting buildings of the entire complex is the matrimonial prison where the couples who wanted to divorce where forced to spend some time together, sharing all the time just one room, one chair, one set of tableware and so on. It is no longer known for how long the husband and wife were locked in there, but it is said that there was only one divorce in 300 years.
Today Biertan is one of the most visited villages in Transylvania, being the historically important place of the annual reunion of the Transylvanian Saxons.
31 May, 2013
I. C.
inchide 
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