Biertan is a village in Transylvania, Romania that was founded between 1224-1283 by Transylvanian Saxons. By 1510, the village had developed into an important market town with a population of around 5,000 people. Between 1468-1500, a fortified church was constructed that became an important religious and defensive site. After declining in importance, the village is now an historic site and cultural center for Transylvanian Saxons, many of whom now live in Germany.

1. Topic: Biertan
Coordinator teacher: Frumuselu Mihai
Students: Babadita Stefania
Besoiu Alin
Curala Elena

3. 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. The village
settlement quickly developed into an important
market town and by 1510 Biertan supported a
population of about 5,000 people. Between 1468
and the 16th century a small fortified church (die
Kirchenburg) was constructed and developed. After
the medieval period the town declined in
importance with the rise of
neighbouring Sighişoara .

4. In the census of 1930
Biertan had 2331
inhabitants, of whom
1228 were Transylvanian
Saxons. During World
War II many men were
conscripted into
the Romanian army and
later the Waffen-SS.
After the war
many Transylvanian
Saxons were expelled
from the region.
Following the collapse
of Communism in 1990
many more left
for Germany.
Today the whole commune has a
population of about 2,500 and the
village of Biertan alone has about
1,600 people. It is one of the most
visited villages in Transylvania,
being the historically important
place of the annual reunion of
the Transylvanian Saxons, many of
whom now live in Germany.

6. A hall church with three naves that
retains a design close to the
original, it was the last such church
built in Transylvania, and was
constructed between 1486 and
1524 on the site of an
earlier Romanesque church. Dedica
ted to the Virgin Mary and built
in Late Gothic style
with Renaissance touches the
structure was constrained by the
hilly landscape. The choir is 18 m in
length, with a rib-vaulted ceiling,
while the three naves of equal
height also have rib vaulting. A
defensive level above the choir has
parapets and a battlement. A
second, wooden, level was
demolished in 1803.
The polyptych altarpiece has 28
panels executed between 1482 and
1513 by a painter likely trained
at Vienna and Nuremberg.

7. In the center, there is a sculpted
group:a crucifix with Jesus
Christ hanging, Mary standing
and Mary Magdalene embracing the
cross. The upper side panels show
visions
of Ezekiel and Augustus. The
stone pulpit, which shows scenes
carved in relief, dates to 1523. The
richly decorated intarsia door of
the sacristy has a complex lock,
displayed at the 1889 Paris World's
Fair. Its central system blocks the
door in thirteen points, ensuring the
safety of the valuables kept in the
sacristy.

9. The surroundings of the medieval church are
beautiful with green hills and small country site
houses painted in colour.
This place is a must see. One of the most
important places in old times, with impressive
wooden staircase on the way up.
The town is lovely, one feels like taken back in
time, so quiet and peaceful.