Prejmer Fortified Church: a medieval refuge built into its walls
Prejmer fortified church (Biserica fortificată din Prejmer, German Kirchenburg Tartlau) is a Saxon church encircled by massive defensive walls in Brașov County, Transylvania. Started by the Teutonic Knights in the early 13th century, it has a rare Greek-cross plan and a ring of rooms where villagers took refuge, and it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage group.
Prejmer was destroyed more than 50 times between the 13th and 17th centuries, yet its church was rarely captured: villagers sheltered in rooms built into the walls.
The history of Prejmer fortified church
Around 1211 King Andrew II of Hungary allowed the Teutonic Knights to settle near Prejmer, and in 1218 they began building a Gothic church. They gave it a Greek-cross plan, the only one of its kind in Transylvania, though a few churches in north-eastern Germany share it. The knights were expelled in 1225. In 1240 the church and its income passed to the Cistercians, who completed it. The church was founded as Roman Catholic, and the local Transylvanian Saxon community later adopted the Reformation, so it became Lutheran.
The interior holds a triptych altarpiece of about 1450, the oldest in the province, which shows scenes from the Passion of Christ, with the Crucifixion at the centre. Its painter is unknown. A bell tower was added above the centre of the church in 1461. Between 1512 and 1515 the Greek-cross shape was altered: two side naves of unequal size were added and the main nave was extended. The interior is plain, with no surviving frescoes.
Prejmer stood in the path of invaders. When Ottoman or other forces broke through the Buzău Pass, this was the first village they met, and it was destroyed more than 50 times between the 13th and 17th centuries, while the church was only rarely captured. After King Sigismund of Luxembourg ordered defences in Țara Bârsei, the church was strongly fortified in the 15th and 16th centuries. A circular wall rising nearly 12 metres, and several metres thick, was built around it and surrounded by a moat. Inside the wall, on three or four levels, were more than 270 rooms that could shelter some 1,600 villagers.
Visitors entered through a tunnel-like passage about 30 metres long, closed by a portcullis and heavy oak doors, with a barbican in front. Tradition adds a weapon called the “organ of death”, a row of guns fired together, though German Wikipedia treats it as a legend. The complex was often damaged and altered, last in the 18th century, and it was restored in the 1960s until 1970. The moat was filled in during the 19th century. In 1999 Prejmer joined Biertan on the UNESCO list of the villages with fortified churches in Transylvania. Today it is a museum.
Curiosities about Prejmer fortified church
- The church has a Greek-cross plan, the only one of its kind in Transylvania, though a few churches in north-eastern Germany are built the same way.
- More than 270 small rooms line the inside of the wall on several levels, and together they could shelter some 1,600 villagers.
- Visitors enter through a tunnel of about 30 metres, once protected by a portcullis and strong oak doors.
- The painted altarpiece of about 1450 is the oldest triptych in Transylvania, and its artist is unknown.
- A legend tells of the “organ of death”, a device with several guns fired at once, which is said to have spread panic among attackers.
- One of the wall rooms has been set up as a school classroom, and another as a Transylvanian Saxon peasant room with original furniture.
Tours near Prejmer Fortified Church
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Bran Castle & Prejmer UNESCO Fortified Church from Brasov
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Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress, Harman & Prejmer Fortified Churches Day Tour
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Harman and Prejmer Fortified Churches Tour from Brasov
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Dracula Castle.Prejmer Fortified Churches .Feldioara Castle from Brasov
See details ›Visiting Prejmer fortified church: what to see
- Walk through the long entrance tunnel and look at the portcullis grooves and heavy doors before you reach the courtyard.
- Climb the wooden stairs and walkways to see some of the wall rooms, including the classroom and the Saxon peasant room, and go on up to the battlements.
- Inside the church, look for the altarpiece of about 1450, the oldest triptych in Transylvania, and for the plain Gothic interior.
- The Brașov landmarks on this site, the Black Tower, Catherine’s Gate and Șchei Gate, are about 17 km away, and Râșnov Citadel is about 28 km away.
- Opening arrangements can change, so check the current opening hours before you go.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Prejmer Fortified Church is
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Photos of Prejmer Fortified Church
Questions
Where is Prejmer fortified church?
It stands in the village of Prejmer (Tartlau) in Brașov County, in the Țara Bârsei area of Transylvania.
Who built Prejmer fortified church?
The Teutonic Knights began the church in 1218. After their expulsion in 1225 the Cistercians completed it, and the Transylvanian Saxons later fortified it.
Why does Prejmer fortified church have so many rooms?
More than 270 rooms line the inside of the walls, so that some 1,600 villagers could take shelter when invaders attacked.
Is Prejmer fortified church a UNESCO site?
Yes. In 1999 it was added to the UNESCO group of villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, which had begun with Biertan.
What is the “organ of death” at Prejmer?
It is a weapon of several guns fired together, linked by tradition to the defence of the church. German Wikipedia describes the story as a legend.
What can you see near Prejmer fortified church?
The Brașov landmarks on this site, including the Black Tower and Șchei Gate, are about 17 km away, and Râșnov Citadel is about 28 km away.
Also nearby
Black Tower, Brașov
Brașov · rock-top lookout blackened by lightning
17 km away
Șchei Gate
Brașov · the only city gate to survive intact
17 km away
Catherine’s Gate
Brașov · Renaissance gate tower with four corner turrets
17 km away
Râșnov Citadel
Brașov County · peasant fortress with a legendary well
28 km away