Saxon village abandoned by its people, brought back to life by Romanians and foreigners. A young woman from Munich: 'This life was hard to achieve in Germany' VIDEO

Gherdeal, a secluded Saxon village nestled in the Transylvanian hills of Romania, is experiencing a remarkable revival. Once dubbed a "ghost village" after its Saxon inhabitants largely departed in the early 2000s, the picturesque settlement is now drawing new life from a diverse community. Families from Romania, Germany, and England, as well as some Saxons returning to their ancestral roots, are choosing Gherdeal as their home.

The village, known as Gürteln in German, had dwindled to fewer than 20 residents, primarily elderly Romanians and Saxons who remained, alongside caretakers for local livestock. Its isolation, situated between the villages of Șomartin and Bruiu, made access challenging, requiring travel through other old Saxon settlements and a secondary road winding through forests.

Historically, Gherdeal was founded by Saxon colonists around the 14th century. Like its neighbors, it boasted a fortified church, built between 1851 and 1858, which served as a refuge during times of conflict. Legends even suggest the village was bypassed by Ottoman incursions. While it also had a Romanian Orthodox church built in 1795 and a Romanian school functioning from the early 19th century, the departure of the Saxon community left the village on the brink of disappearing.

Now, a new narrative is unfolding. The influx of new residents signifies a desire for a lifestyle that, for some, is difficult to achieve elsewhere. A young German woman living in Gherdeal remarked, "This life was hard to achieve in Germany," highlighting the appeal of the village's unique atmosphere and community spirit. The village is no longer a place of departure, but one where people now wish to remain.

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This life was hard to achieve in Germany