Tag Archives: romania

Places

The fortified church in Curciu

Having already visited about twenty-five fortified churches in Southern Transilvania, I can say that one of the most underrated fortified churches in this region is the one in Curci. It’s sad that it’s so, because it is quite beautiful, both on the outside and on the inside. Its outside is truly picturesque and its inside, though white-washed, as is the case with most reformed churches, still shows remnants of its more colorful gothic past, with green men on its walls and ceilings and murals hidden beneath multiple coats of lime paint.

When we visited in the spring of 2011, its caretaker told me no one had visited it for over 5 months. How can anyone miss a church like this one? It is a truly beautiful place.

Curciu, also known as CriČ™ in Romanian, Kiertš or Kirtsch in German and KĂĽkĂĽllĹ‘kĹ‘rös, SzászkĹ‘rös, and KĹ‘rös in Hungarian (that’s right, three separate names), is an old Dacian settlement that was once called “La Fântâni”, itself built over yet older settlements from the bronze and iron age (source). It is first mentioned in written documents in 1332, and we also find it in court documents in 1337 alongside the name of a Saxon, Petro de Keuruz, who was called to testify as a witness about a legal matter. Curciu is also the place where my grandfather on my mother’s side was born.

The construction of the Saxon church was completed in the first half of the 14th century and took about 50 years. A lot of river rocks were used in its walls, as you’ll see in the photographs. The structure underwent modifications in 1425-1430, when the choir loft was added and again sometime in the 1450s. The church’s organ was built in 1844 by Wilhelm Maetz and it is still intact and undamaged to this day.

It isn’t a big church, but there are so many interesting architectural details that clearly point out a master at work. When you look at it as a whole (its chosen location, its perspective from all points of view, the way the architect chose to express the various functions of the building and the spaces used), it is a thing of wonder. It made me want to explore every little nook and cranny, and come back to it in the future.

If you’d like to visit this church, the village of Curciu is about 12 km away from Medias. You’ll need to take a paved country road toward the village of Darlos, pass through it, and follow the sign toward Curci.u Once there, you’ll need to ask around for the way to the caretaker’s house, who will then give you a personal tour of the domain.

Enjoy the photographs!

At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania
At the fortified Saxon church in Curciu, Transilvania, Romania

 

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Romania Through Their Eyes

Romania Through Their Eyes – Tom Lovelock

The second episode of my show, Romania Through Their Eyes, has just gone live. This interview features Tom Lovelock, who is originally from the UK, but has spent a good number of years in Africa and the Middle East, most recently in Qatar. He moved to Romania with his wife six months ago, and they intend to stay here permanently.

As with the first episode, both English and Romanian subtitles will be available. In order to access them, you’ll need to see the video directly on YouTube, so either click on the video above, or click on the link below. Once on YouTube, use the CC button to select the language for the subtitles.

Enjoy!

Episode RTTE-002-EN-HD
Released 3/3/11

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Romania Through Their Eyes

Romania Through Their Eyes – Laura Tonlaveur

I promised it, and kept my word. Just launched a new show of my own that’s been in the works for some time. It’s live, right now, on my YouTube channel.

The show is called “Romania Through Their Eyes”, and it’s a series of interviews with foreigners — people who visited Romania, spent time in the country, and wanted to share their thoughts with me.

Episode RTTE-001-FR-HD
Released 2/1/11

The purpose of the show is to get their impressions about the country, and start a dialogue which will lead to a greater understanding of the issues facing Romanians and Romania. I’m hoping this will have an impact on the leadership of the country, and help them to focus their attention on issues that are of international relevance. Because, let’s face it, Romania’s reputation in the world isn’t exactly spotless…

This first interview is with Laura, who is from the South of France, and spent two and a half months in Romania in the fall and winter of 2010.

Thanks to YouTube’s CC option, I can provide two language tracks (English and Romanian) for each show. You’ll have to excuse my translation, I’m doing my best and it may not be as accurate as I want it to be, but at least it’s there. If there’s a need for subtitles in another language, get in touch with me and we’ll work together to get them up there.

My current plans are to put out one episode per month. As you know, I already film, direct, edit and produce my wife’s two shows (Ligia’s Kitchen and Quilling – The Art of Paper Filigree). There’s a significant time commitment already devoted to them. And you wouldn’t believe how much work goes on behind the scenes for one of these interviews… But, as I say in the video, if there’s enough interest, I’ll be glad to roll up my sleeves and get to work on more frequent episodes, like bi-monthly ones, or even once a week, who knows. It’s up to you — so if you like it, spread the word, like it, fave it, share it, etc. — get the word out!

Thank you!

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We had a wonderful time last night, as we counted down the seconds to the New Year and watched the fireworks show put on by the Medias City Hall, followed by a cozy party at our home.

I hope you’ll enjoy the video I recorded during the fireworks. It was freezing outside, which is the perfect weather for the holidays. On a side note, I was a bit let down by the Christmas weather this year. We had a ton of snow in the days before Christmas, then warm weather moved in and melted all of it just before Christmas Eve. At least winter redeemed itself in time for New Year’s Eve, with lots of snow and cold weather to boot. Very nice indeed!

Here are a few photos taken in the last days of 2010. Happy New Year!

Events

Happy New Year!

Gallery
Places

On the road in Moldova

We traveled to the province of Moldova recently (not the Republic of Moldova, the province of Moldova, which is part of Romania, as was the Republic of Moldova at one time), and while on the road, I recorded these videos.

The first is of the sunrise somewhere between Iasi and Piatra Neamt. I processed this to give it an old-time feel, with film grain, scratches and an appropriate soundtrack.

The second, filmed a little later that same morning, is of an historic piazza in Piatra Neamt.

The third, filmed that same day, is of a mountain brook in Cheile Bicazului, as we crossed the Carpathian Mountains from Moldova into Transilvania.

I hope you enjoy them! (They’re all in HD, so if you can’t see them at full res on my site, click through to YouTube and make sure to select 720p.)

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