This kind of architectural structure which combines a regularly-used church with fortified walls is typical of the region of Transilvania, where Saxons built them as places of refuge against invading tartars and turks. While larger settlements (such as Medias) could afford to build fortified walls around the entire town, villages such as Saschiz built fortified churches. There were originally 300 of these churches in Transilvania. About 150 of them remain standing.

Known as Keisd in German and Szászkézd in Hungarian, Saschiz (“Sas” = Saxon, “chiz” = Keisd) is unique because it also has a separate fortress built on one of the hilltops above the village. It (along with six other villages) is named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortress, being relatively far from the village, didn’t see much use during times of invasion and the fortified church itself became the place where people would take refuge and do their best to withstand sieges. The fortified church was built in 1493-1496 and the fortress was begun in 1496.

The photos you’ll see here were taken in and around the fortified church. We haven’t visited the fotress yet, but we intend to do it.

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Saschiz, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Saschiz, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

In the hills above Saschiz, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

Fortified church in Saschiz, Transilvania, Romania

I hope you enjoyed the photos! I took them with my Canon EOS 5D and the EF 24-105mm f/4L lens.

Canon EOS 5D

Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM Lens