Transylvania's forgotten fortresses: Medieval churches guard villages with secrets

Transylvania's medieval landscape is dotted with over 200 fortified Saxon churches, remnants of a community that began settling the region in the 12th century.

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The exact date of arrival of the German colonists in Transylvania is unknown, but it seems they arrived between 1141 and 1161. It is almost certain that they did not all arrive at once.

Invited by Hungarian kings, German settlers from regions like the Rhine, Luxembourg, and Flanders were granted economic, administrative, and religious privileges. In return, they were tasked with defending the kingdom's borders. These settlers established prosperous villages in Transylvania's fertile lands, benefiting from their discipline and organization. They enjoyed administrative autonomy, the right to elect their own priests and judges, and tax exemptions, fostering the growth of their settlements.

The most significant administrative center, Sibiu, lent its name to the German designation for Transylvania, Siebenbürgen, referencing the seven Saxon seats established by the 13th century. Over time, other medieval towns like Sighișoara, Mediaș, and Brașov also became Saxon seats, surrounded by numerous villages populated by descendants of the original colonists.

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The name Saxons, as they call themselves, was used much later as a general designation and it is more than likely, from the differences in language, customs and behavior, that different colonies arrived here from different parts of their homelands.

These communities prioritized defense, especially after the Mongol invasions of 1241-1242. Initially, churches were built on high ground, and later, village churches were fortified with moats and palisades. Today, while some of these historic structures are UNESCO World Heritage sites and cared for by descendants, others have been abandoned and lie in ruins, like the fortified church at Hosman.

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Special importance was given to the defense of the new settlements, starting at the latest from the Mongol invasion (1241–1242). Initially, churches were built on high ground, and later, village churches were fortified with moats and palisades.