Biertan engleza (1)
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Transcript of Biertan engleza (1)
BIERTAN, TRANSYLVANIA
Topic: Biertan
Coordinator teacher: Frumuselu Mihai
Students: Babadita Stefania Besoiu Alin Curala Elena
BIERTAN, TRANSYLVANIA
Biertan, is a commune in central Romania, in the north of theSibiu Country, 80 km north of
Sibiu and 29 km east of Medias. Biertan is one of the most important Saxon villages with
fortified churches in Transylvania, having been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
since 1993. The Biertan fortified church was the see of the Lutheran Evangelical Bishop
in Transylvania between 1572 and 1867.The commune is composed of three villages:
Biertan, Copșa Mare (Gross-Kopisch; Nagykapus) and Richiș
(Reichesdorf;Riomfalva), each of which has a fortified church.
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 .
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.
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. Dedicated 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.
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.
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.