Viscri - picturesque Saxon village in Transylvania, Romania

Fortified churches in Transylvania 

Romania is a beautiful and very interesting country. You can admire there magnificent scenery and a lot of splendid architectural monuments. Very interesting and picturesque architectural objects are fortified churches in Transylvania region. There are more than 100 of well preserved fortified churches from the 13th to 16th centuries.


Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania are seven villages founded by the Transylvanian Saxons. They are characterised by the great variety of architectural styles. They are dominated by fortified churches and characterised by a specific settlement pattern that has been preserved since the late Middle Ages (see also: Fortified Church in Hărman, Romania).

Fortified church in Viscri - UNESCO World Heritage Site

One of the most interesting Saxon fortified churches is located in the village of Viscri. The village is located in the centre of Romania, close to Sighisoara (40km). The name of the village comes from the German "Weisse Kirche", meaning "white church".


Saxons came to Transylvania during the mid-1100s from Germany. The result of almost nine centuries of existence of the Saxon community in Southern Transylvania is a cultural and architectural heritage, unique in Europe.


Unlike other Transylvanian fortified churches, Viscri was built around 1100 by the Szekler population and taken over by Saxon colonists at a time when the area belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary. Initially Roman Catholic, it became Lutheran following the Reformation.


The building was rectangular, with a semicircular altar of greenish-white limestone. Four Romanesque capitals that survive in the choir, including one used as a baptismal font, also originate in this period. The church was modified and extended many times. In the 14th century, the church was rebuilt and in the 16th century, the first fortification walls with towers were added. In the 18th century, the church was endowed with a second defensive wall. Inside, you can admire a classic 19th-century altar. The fortress and the church received a deep restoration in the 70s of 20th century.


There is The Museum of the Church inside the fortification. You will find details about the organisation and duties of the Saxon communities. There are furniture, typical tools of ancient crafts and the few original clothes.


It is also worth to climb the tower to see the magnificent view. Looking all around from the tower, you will see the tiled roofs of the village between the trees and the beautiful surrounding hills.

Saxon village of Viscri

A visit to Viscri is an authentic experience of travelling through time. That beautiful village surrounded by gently rolling hills, far away from civilisation, hasn’t changed in centuries. People still live from their farming and animal growing, although the development of tourism has introduced a new activity in the village. Many peasants are now transforming their traditional authentic Saxon houses into guest houses but walk around the peaceful village and observe the traditional life and charming architecture is a fascinating experience.


Leaving the village, you can visit Rupea Castle, the beautiful and impressive refuge citadel (see: Rupea Citadel: One of Transylvania’s top Medieval fortress). 

You might also like other articles about beautiful places in  Romania (click)

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This post is linked at: 
   The Weekly Postcard

Comments

  1. These pictures speak to me of quieter, gentler times. They are so beautiful!

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  2. A way of life that used to be there once upon a time! Vestiges of the past...beautifully shot images!!

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  3. Incredible, as usual. It seems so peaceful yet impregnable. I can't get enough of the ones with the roof and the tower. :D

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  4. Great, beautiful, interesting photos!

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  5. Very beautiful shots of the place.

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  6. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos of Transylvania, a place I have never been. #Weekendtravelinspiration

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  7. I agree with Laura (I always do)--- absolutely wonderful!

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  8. Bardzo ciekawy post.., ładne zdjęcia, świetnie kadrowane i wykonane!!. Oglądam zawsze z przyjemnością, pozdrawiam:)

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  9. fantastic pictures of this beautiful place

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  10. I have not yet made it to Romania, but it looks beautiful. I love the architecture and the red roofs. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.

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  11. I didn't get to see Viscri when I lived in Romania, but I've heard is beautiful. Your gorgeous photos prove it. The Saxon villages in Transylvania are so beautiful. In a way seeing them look like 200 years ago seems great, but if you think about it it's kind of sad. Many of those people lived in the same run down houses for generations.

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  12. Bardzo urokliwe miejsce:)

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  13. Intriguing views of fortified churches and homes. I love the detail in the roof designs.

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  14. Boa tarde, maravilhosa selecção de fotos com qualidade que mostra com nítidos detalhes a beleza da vila.
    AG

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  15. I missed Viscri during my visit to Transylvania last year, but am now wishing I'd visited. Your photos are beautiful as always, and glad to see more people sharing this fantastic country.

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  16. What a unique place to visit! So much history to see and such well preserved buildings.

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  17. Fabulous buildings and lovely countryside

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    Replies
    1. Popping by from My Sunday Photo and Monday Escapes

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  18. Miejsce niezwykłe a Twoje zdjęcia jak zawsze, doskonałe.
    Serdecznie pozdrawiam:)

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  19. Beautiful buildings, it looks like a great place to visit #MySundayPhoto

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  20. Beautiful! You've really captured the fortified church in some very interesting angles. Thanks for linking in this week at #wkendtravelinspiration!

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  21. ...such beauty against the blue sky.

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  22. What a beautiful village and photography and neat shadows too ~ thanks,

    Wishing you a Happy Week ahead ~ ^_^

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  23. What a wonderful looking place. It's a wonder stuff places survive.

    Cheers - Stewart M - In Melbourne, but jet-lagged!

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  24. Beautiful photos. Romania is one of my favorite destinations. It has really special charm and atmosphere.

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  25. Breathtakingly beautiful photography. This place is like out of a fairy tale. Thank you for linking in with "Through My Lens"

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  26. I love Transylvania--although I didn't make it to Viscri, I heard all about it. Thanks to Prince Charles, I believe ;)

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  27. Beautiful pictures. If you had not mentioned where this was I would have thought it a village in England.

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  28. What a beautiful place!

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  29. The varied rooftops are so charming. Beautiful.

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  30. Love these towers - Romania did a better job than Holland (my country of origin)! And they have the preaching platform high, like in the German churches. Many thanks for sharing Romania's churches with ALL SEASONS - enjoy your week!

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  31. Incredible sights and architecture and weather too.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  32. I would love to visit your country some time to see this beauty for myself! What a clean and inviting place. Your photos are wonderful.

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  33. So, so beautiful gorgeous.. love all the pictures..

    Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

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  34. 100 fortified churches? That sounds fantastic! First time I hear about this town but it looks very beautiful. Like the blue shade on the city. #MondayEscapes

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  35. What a beautiful place to visit

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  36. Wow, the buildings look really strong with thick walls. They can withstand for centuries! Did you see the castle of Dracula?

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  37. you have to admire the architecture :)

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  38. Enjoyed visiting and seeing your photos. Would not want to be the one to place the roof shingles on those buildings, but the roofs with all the angles are lovely. Great sharing. :)

    Peabea@Peabea Scribbles

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  39. So good to see it's all been restored beautifully, I'm loving how different the traditional clothes are to what I"m use to.

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  40. Thanks for giving us a peek into the village life of Romania. The pictures are lovely. The architecture of the churches, the village houses, the village life, the museum, all look fascinating to me.

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  41. And we have vampires too. :D It is nice to see a positive post about my country for a change. We have our faults but we, the true Romanian people, do try to change the way the outside world sees us. Your photos are fantastic!

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  42. What a stunning place, almost like going back in time! Romania is high on my list of places to visit, thanks for this extra inspiration! :) #mondayescapes

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  43. Hi! I enjoyed your beautiful photos in Romania. The buildings are very cute and nice. Thanks for sharing.

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  44. Seriously the most picturesque place, just wow!

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  45. What a lovely region! I know so little about Romania but your pictures convince me that I should really visit soon!

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  46. Beautiful collection of images. Really well done. Have a blessed day.

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  47. Wunderschön! Es gefällt mir sehr, was ich hier sehe!
    Und es ist so unglaublich gut erhalten!!!
    Vielen Dank für diese tollen Bilder!
    Alles Liebe
    Heidi

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  48. Awesome pics, wish to see it on my own :]

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  49. What a beautiful village! I love the old feeling of this small town! I'm glad you took pictures during the day because at night I'd be a little afraid to be on the streets. Isn't this the home of Dracula? :) Great, fabulous captures. Thanks for sharing and linking up with me! Have a fototastic day, my friend!

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  50. Looks like a beautiful town and really interesting church to visit. More and more Romania has been on my radar lately! Think I'll have to make a visit soon :D

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  51. It doesn't get any more picturesque than this!! I really like those red tile roofs.

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  52. I really enjoyed your post!

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  53. Picturesque indeed, well done, Jarek !

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  54. What a picturesque place with so much history. The interior of that Middle Aged church is stunning. Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes

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  55. I love visiting UNESCO sites and would definitely want to see this one! So beautiful and picturesque! #mondayescapes

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  56. I haven't seen many photos of Transylvania. Embarassingly, I imagined it much more spooky and Dracula-ish. This looks like a really interesting village that I'd like to explore.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, do come. We have all different kinds of spooky. lol

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