.

1. STUDENT’S SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM
USAMV IMAPA 2018
Viscri village
Toma Andrei, IMAPA, Group 8116
1University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Romania
59 Marasti Blvd, District 1, Bucharest Romania
Keywords: Village, Saxon, Traditions.
One of the most well – known Transylvanian villages and one of Prince Charles’ favorite travel destinations is Viscri. A vacation in viscri should
definitely include a tour of the fortified church and a visit to the local blacksmith, one of the few still preserving the tradition of this old craft.
From the wooden gate and the garden of fruit trees that surround the stone steps worn out by cold winters and to the museum in church,
everything looks just like a few centuries ago. A 300 year old organ, carved wooden benches, worn over time, and a hand-painted mercy box
can all be admired in silence at the fortified church in Viscri. A tour of the church should include the mandatory walk through the rooms of the
old museum where you can see hand painted Saxon chests, wedding costumes from the 13th century, and whole sets of ceramics. The
museum does not lack wooden cots for children or prayer books older than 200 years.
Centuries- old Saxon hertiage
Besides its many traditional houses, part of the Saxon heritage of the community, Viscri is best-known for its white fortified church, first
mentioned in 1400 as Alba Ecclesia. Historically, the church went through three construction phases. Its earliest foundations date back to the
beginning of the 12th century when the local Szekler population built a small church. At the end of the same century, the Saxons took over this
church while settling in the region.
During the second phase that started sometime in the 13th century, the Saxons built the main tower on the west side and enlarged the nave of
the church towards east. It’s during the third construction phase of the 15th century that the church was fortified, partially preserved until
today as some of its fortifications were demolished after the Ottoman threat disappeared.
Tradition’s revival
In the last couple of years, the village was part of an ambitious community project of rediscovering and reviving traditions that almost
disappeared from local life. Thanks to this, today you can visit daily in Viscri locals that carry on practicing skills that are usually performed only
during museums events. The community was so successful in its project of rediscovering traditions that today they’re part again of local life.
The blacksmith brothers will show you how they make horseshoes and nails the old fashioned way, while the hard-working Gheorghita will
explain how he burns hand-made bricks and tiles in an incandescent earth oven. Plus, locals still use horse carts and you can always go for a
ride to the pastures outside the village, while in the evenings you’ll enjoy a mouth-watering dinner prepared only with fresh local ingredients.
Where to stay
Book the guest houses managed by the Foundation Mihai Eminescu Trust. This way, you’ll contribute to the conservation of the cultural
patrimony of the village.
Travel Tips
While one day is enough to take a walking tour of the village, take at least two or three days to get to know as much as possible not only Viscri,
but also its surrounding villages.
Acknowledgements
Coordinating tracher: Mihai Daniel Frumușelu
References:
uncover-romania.com/attractions/culture/unesco-
heritage/viscri.html
https://romaniatourstore.com/blog/a-tour-of-the-most-beautiful-
romanian-villages
You arrive at a village, and in this calm
environment, one starts to hear echo.
-Yannick Noah