Biertan: A Hidden Gem in Transylvania
Biertan is located in Sibiu County and is one of the first German settlements established by Saxons in Transylvania. Today, this rural site is a well-known tourist destination in Romania.
How to Get to Biertan
Biertan is an ideal spot for those seeking relaxation. Nestled in the heart of Transylvania, this village is famous for its natural beauty and historical significance. The distances to major cities are as follows: 30 km from Sighișoara, 74 km from Sibiu, 143 km from Cluj-Napoca, 147 km from Brașov, and 332 km from Bucharest. The locality is perfect for a weekend getaway, allowing visitors to combine trips to Sibiu, Sighișoara, and Biertan.
To reach Biertan, follow National Road DN 14, which connects Sighișoara and Sibiu, passing through Mediaș. Approximately 20 kilometers from Sighișoara, you will arrive in the village of Saroș pe Târnave. Here, you will see a sign directing you to Biertan. From this point, it’s just about 10 more kilometers to your destination.
A Scenic Journey
The journey along this route is impressive due to the beautiful landscapes of Transylvania, featuring traditional villages and a rural atmosphere.
Exploring Biertan
Once you arrive in Biertan, you will discover an idyllic village dominated by the imposing fortified church, which is among the best-preserved and most impressive in Romania. You can reach Biertan by traveling to Sibiu and then using public transportation or your personal vehicle, which is much more convenient and allows you to explore other nearby attractions.
Tourist Attractions in Biertan and Surroundings
Biertan is renowned for its fortified church. Its fortifications include three concentric walls defended by towers and bastions, making it a major attraction for visitors. Key points of interest within the fortified church complex include:
- The Clock Tower
- The Bell Tower
- The Town Hall Tower
- The Catholic Tower
- The Gate Towers
- The Weavers’ Bastion
One of the most fascinating elements of the church is the Sacristy or Treasury door, crafted by the artist Johannes Reichmuth from Sighișoara in 1515. This door features a complex locking mechanism with 15 bolts that operate simultaneously.
“The Lovers’ Prison” is another interesting attraction. This small room, equipped with a single bed, a table, and one set of cutlery, was once used to confine couples who wished to break up, allowing them to resolve their conflicts.
The Donarium of Biertan, discovered in 1775, is another significant point of interest. It consists of a bronze plate and a disc featuring the monogram of Christ, dating back to the 4th century, which serves as evidence of a Latin-speaking Christian population in the area.
Nearby Attractions
Close to Biertan, there are other noteworthy tourist sites, such as Richiș. Just 5 kilometers from Biertan, Richiș hosts another fortified church. This Saxon-origin village also boasts cemeteries with gravestones over four centuries old, making it worth a visit if you are in the area.
Sibiu
If you haven’t visited Sibiu yet, this city will impress you with its architecture and atmosphere. Explore the main tourist attractions in Sibiu, such as the Bridge of Lies, the Council Tower, the ASTRA Museum, the Brukenthal Museum, the Large Square, the Small Square, the Fortress Street, the Carpenter’s Tower, and the Goldsmiths’ Square.
Sighișoara
Located 30 km from Biertan, Sighișoara is one of the best-preserved inhabited medieval fortresses in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can spend an entire day here visiting the Citadel Square, the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, or the Scholars’ Stairs.
Clay Castle, Valley of Fairies
A fairytale location, the Clay Castle in the Valley of Fairies is a unique structure that attracts tourists due to its storybook design. Built from stone, concrete, wood, clay, and lime, the story of the castle is impressive. It was constructed by a couple of former corporate professionals who wanted to move to the countryside, creating a place that feels like a fairy tale.
Saschiz
Located just a few kilometers from Sighișoara, Saschiz is known for its peasant fortress, the Evangelical Church, and its connection to Prince Charles of Great Britain. The village is included in UNESCO’s heritage and is renowned for its natural beauty and traditional products, such as jams, honey, and homemade bread.
Copșa Mare
Located north of Sibiu County, Copșa Mare is a village known for its Gothic church and famous vineyards. The area boasts well-preserved Saxon architectural heritage.
Other Tourist Attractions Around Sighișoara
- Church in Șaeș
- Praid Salt Mine
- Sunken Village Bezid
- Apaffy Castle – Dumbrăveni
- Petőfi Sandor Memorial House
- Sighișoara Monastery
- Breite Natural Reserve of Ancient Oaks in Sighișoara
If you find yourself in the area, make sure to visit at least a few of these tourist attractions that draw thousands of visitors each year, both locals and foreigners alike.
Historical Overview of Biertan
Biertan is one of the first Saxon German settlements in Transylvania, mentioned in the Andreean Diploma of 1224. It was part of the “Two Seats” (Mediaș Seat and Șeica Seat), components of the “Seven Seats” (Septem Sedes) of the Saxons in Transylvania. The first documented mention of Biertan dates back to 1283, in a document where it is noted alongside Mediaș and Moșna, with the three locations competing for the status of administrative center of the “Two Seats.” In this competition, each locality built an imposing church to enhance its chances. In 1397, Biertan was recognized as a fortress. Like other Saxon settlements, Biertan had a specific urban layout, with Franconian-style houses arranged around a central square dominated by the impressive fortified church. The religious monument combines Gothic and Renaissance styles and is protected by three surrounding walls with medieval towers and bastions. The first enclosure of the fortress dates back to the 12th century, when the first church, dedicated to St. Mary, was likely built. The current church, constructed between 1486 and 1524, is designed in late Gothic style. For 300 years, between 1572 and 1867, the church served as a vital center for the community.
Biertan: A Historical Stronghold of Transylvanian Saxons
Biertan served as the seat of the Saxon episcopate, which facilitated the construction of one of the most powerful peasant fortresses in Transylvania, centered around the fortified church. In 1572, Lucas Unglerus, a priest from Biertan, was elected as the supreme steward of the Evangelical community in Transylvania, enhancing the spiritual and religious significance of the locality, even though it lost administrative prominence to Mediaș.
In 1704, despite its strength, the fortress was unexpectedly attacked and devastated by the Kurucs, who stole sacred vessels, invaluable documents, and desecrated the bishops’ crypts in search of treasures. During a census organized in 1733 by Inocențiu Micu-Klein, the Romanian bishop in union with Rome, 35 Romanian families were recorded in Biertan, totaling around 165 individuals. At that time, the Romanian community lacked both a priest and a church of its own.
Protopop Stefan Moldovan noted in 1852 that between 1833 and 1844, the Romanian church was used alternately by Orthodox and Greek-Catholic congregations. In 1844, the Orthodox excluded the Greek-Catholics from the shared church, leaving the latter without a place of worship until 1850, when they began the construction of a new church.
With the collapse of communism, an increasing number of Saxons left Biertan to settle in Germany. While there were 1,613 Saxons living in Biertan in 1977, that number had dwindled to just 280 by 1992. This migration significantly altered the local demographics, yet Biertan remains a notable landmark for the history and culture of the Saxons in Transylvania.
