2. • The village of Biertan, located in the commune of the same name, is
one of the most important Saxon villages with fortified churches in
Transylvania. It has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
since 1993.
3. • The village, established in the 13th century, was an important
agricultural and crafts center. Its traditional houses, built in the style
of the Transylvanian baroque, and the fortified church are just some
of the sites to see in Biertan, a village also known for its original
remedy for divorce.
4. • BBC wrote a story about Biertan’s ‘medieval remedy for divorce’, telling
readers that, although it sounds like a nightmare, the solution was quite
effective as only one couple divorced in 300 years.
• The local bishop was the one locking the people in the tiny prison, where
they would spend six weeks working to bring their marriage back to life.
While in there, they were supposed to share everything, from a single
pillow and table to the lone table setting.
• “Lutheranism, the religion of the Transylvanian Saxons, governed most
aspects of life, and although divorce was allowed under certain
circumstances – such as adultery – it was preferred that couples attempt to
save their union. So a couple seeking divorce would voluntarily visit the
bishop, who would send them to the marital prison to see if their
differences could be reconciled before they parted ways,” reads the BBC
story.
