Prejmer/Tartlau

The Fortified Church of Prejmer was of particular strategic importance for centuries because it lies at the exit of the Buzău Pass, over which main invasions of Transylvania had to pass. The village was attacked and destroyed over 50 times between the 13th and 17th century. The fortified church however was only taken a few times.

A 30-meter long entrance tunnel, with portcullis and solid oak doors, protects the entrance to the precincts. Built into the massive fortification wall are more than 270 dwelling units and storage chambers. In case of an attack they offered shelter for up to 1,600 villagers. Some chambers have been converted into a museum now. Connecting the chambers and along the outer wall run several staircases and corridors accessible for visitors. They are also leading to the machicolation and crenels on the outside of the fortification wall. Climbing in the dark and winding battlements is a special experience and gives a strong impression of the defence situation in case of a siege.

Dealu Frumos/Schönberg

Dealu Frumos lies on the margin of the charming valley of Hârtibaciu River. From further away the fortified church offers an impressive and typical image for Transylvania. Visitors can easily identify the gradual expansion of the defence facilities since the late Middle Ages: almost 800 years ago the construction of a pier basilica began. After several Ottoman attacks the development of the fortifications was carried out: the nave was reduced to make room for two defense towers. Around the church a fortification wall with four more towers was built. Inside the church hidden chambers providing the last chance to escape and a tunnel leading outwards from the fortress were included. In a later stage of construction, after about 100 years, part of the walls had to be transferred to the outside, because the courtyard had become too small and, in case of an attack, could no longer provide shelter for the entire village population. Following extensions were mainly increasing storage room.

Stejărişu/Probstdorf

It is a miracle that Stejărişu still exists, because its forefathers had a hard time there. In the 13th Century German settlers came to the Hârtibaciu valley and founded a village. They built houses, cultivated fields and built erected a church. After a severe flood, the village was destroyed and therefore moved a few miles uphill. In that time, not only Ottoman attacks posed a threat, but also for over 100 years Saxon nobles and the minions of the provost of Sibiu fought for the possession of Probstdorf. But the inhabitants of the village could not be discouraged by all these problems and stayed.

Today, more than 600 years later, the fortified church survived as a witness of those difficult times. It is located in the middle of a picturesque Transylvanian Saxon village. An Austrian Foundation supports the local development of rural tourism. In the parish house close to the church guestrooms are available. Inside the fortification the visitors can buy homemade jams, honey, juice and other products made in the village.

Cisnădioara/Michelsberg

The legend says that before their wedding the men of Cisnădioara had to roll a big rock up to the fortified church. This was not an easy task for them because the church lies on a high hill above the village. The stones collected in this manner were further used in case of a siege and rolled down the hill to crush the enemies. Part of this tradition is still practiced today. Many young men still push huge rocks up the hill on their wedding day in order ransom their brides, who have been kidnapped during the wedding party, which is another old tradition.

Inside the fortification above the village one of the oldest churches in the country, built between 1200 and 1250, can be found. Two stair galleries lead from the church nave through the mighty exterior walls into the remains of the never completed towers.

Cisnădioara was one of the few villages in Transylvania, which had been inhabited almost exclusively by Saxons until after 1989.