There are about 150 fortified churches in Transylvania, and several of these have already been selected for the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List, as they still remain impressive works of architectural art, quite a few of them wonderfully preserved or restored. Some of them have fascinating stories, from a time and age when this villages and small towns were full of life, were trading centers or simply a place for locals to live, work and leave their mark.One of these landmarks of Romanian history and culture is surely the fortified church in the village of Bazna, in the county of Sibiu, wonderfully restored and, since 2010, officially a historical protected monument. It is a beautiful structure, with it's impressive central church, surrounded by tall walls, and nowadays we are lucky to be able to visit it and admire it as it once was. For it is a landmark that you must not pass by if you are ever in the region, as such a holiday will surely be something worth remembering.
According to local tradition and historians the fortified church of Bazna is several centuries old, as many of these places of worship are, but it is more likely that it was built in the 15th century on the foundations of a much older church. Of course, almost nothing is remembered today about that church, but we know that in the beginning there was only the holy building and nothing more, as it was customary at the time. The surrounding fortifications – walls, towers, gate – were actually erected over the course of the next century, and over time the structure was mostly torn down and rebuilt (at first it was made of wood).
Nowadays you can visit the fortified church of Bazna and you will find not only one of the best preserved monuments of it's kind, but also (on the inside) a real sacred art museum, with some unique pieces. Whether you are interested in the interior decorations and architecture, religious objects, the history of the church or simply attending a service, this old place seems to have something for anybody. You could admire the Gothic and Baroque decorative elements, read the old inscriptions, enjoy the works of sacred art, and simply learn to discover and love a place that has it's own character, charm and beauty.
Photo: cjsibiu.ro
