Biertan Fortified Church
Biertan Fortified Church
Biertan Fortified Church
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
343 reviews
Excellent
176
Very good
117
Average
34
Poor
9
Terrible
7
T-SGlobetrotters
Preston, UK2,863 contributions
Oct 2022
This church built in the late 15th, early 16th century is a UNESCO heritage site and was the seat of Lutheran bishops for almost 300 years. It has several fascinating features including a covered walkway leading to the church entrance, the largest triptych altar in Transylvania and an interesting sacristy door with 19 locks. The whole site is in tip-top condition and as you go around there are information panels explaining several aspects in English.
A couple of things worth noting. The ticket office is closed 1pm to 2pm. The ground floor office also appears permanently closed but has been relocated to the gift shop on the first floor. This is not immediately obvious and we spent 15 minutes waiting downstairs for the ticket office to open after lunch before realising it wasn’t going to open!
A couple of things worth noting. The ticket office is closed 1pm to 2pm. The ground floor office also appears permanently closed but has been relocated to the gift shop on the first floor. This is not immediately obvious and we spent 15 minutes waiting downstairs for the ticket office to open after lunch before realising it wasn’t going to open!
Written October 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hyoga83
Bordeaux, France716 contributions
Sep 2021
Another of the "musts", and part of the UNESCO churches. Specially impressive from the outside, inside is underwhelming - but worth it for a few things such as the amazing lock, or the covered stairways.
Do not miss Copsa Mare, just beside Biertan and really low key but amazing
Do not miss Copsa Mare, just beside Biertan and really low key but amazing
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mihai Preda
Bucharest, Romania44 contributions
Sep 2020 • Friends
If you are interested in history and you like the medieval age, this is a place to visit. The place is a bit off the National Road but it is worthy visiting. As you arrive in the center of the village you will see the cgurch on top of the hill. There's a shop inside where you can buy tickets, maps, boks and different souvenirs.
Written September 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne S
Leeds, UK499 contributions
Aug 2022
Came here as part of a group tour. Our guide had been explaining how fortified churches began with the church and had 2 or 3 rings of defensive walls around them. This is a classic example with everything intact. We loved the "couples tower" but won't spoil the surprise.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan L
Durham, NC449 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the region. The setting is very beautiful and it’s fun to explore the church and the surrounding walls and towers. The church had an impressive polyptic on the altar. 1 hour max needed. There’s paid parking just below in the main square (you can’t miss it as you drive into town).
Written October 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jar Mitt
16 contributions
May 2019
This is really one of the greatest churches in shy village near Medias, in the hear tof Transilvania. You must see it, if you travel around.
I recommend accomodation in Richis, in Annas Pension - the green house.
I recommend accomodation in Richis, in Annas Pension - the green house.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deco
Sibiu, Romania22 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
The ticket costs 10 lei. But this location doesn't inspire anything wow. It seems like a normal but fortified church to me. You can see some beautiful landscapes, but related to the church, to the past there and that's it.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiberiu_Baranyi
Timisoara, Romania12,900 contributions
Dec 2022
The building works have started in the XII century, got finished in the 1400's , and got its current shape -at least the church, the fortification have been expended and modified through the entire middle ages. And is still standing , hopefully for many centuries to come.
The church can be found towering over the main square of Biertan - you can park a few dozen of meters from the entrance - but mind to pay the parking taxes - entrance fee is 15 Ron (about 3 Euro) , but you can only pay in cash.
The church is impressive , late gothic style - the arches of the ceiling are very impressive, well maintained , beautiful , the altar is worked with great details, the organ is also impressive. And a true gem is the lock of the vestry - an assembly that is composed of 19 different locking mechanisms - wining a prize at the 1900's Paris world fair (and is still working today).
Also interesting - outside of the church is the Catholics tower - a small chapel of those who did not convert to Lutheranism ...and was kept for those as a place of worship.
The small museum and the "reconciliation chamber" - used for centuries for the couples with marital issues.
The mausoleum tower with the tombstones of bishops are also interesting.
Overall a great experience when you are in the area I do recommend you put this place on your travel agenda - it is well worth it.
The church can be found towering over the main square of Biertan - you can park a few dozen of meters from the entrance - but mind to pay the parking taxes - entrance fee is 15 Ron (about 3 Euro) , but you can only pay in cash.
The church is impressive , late gothic style - the arches of the ceiling are very impressive, well maintained , beautiful , the altar is worked with great details, the organ is also impressive. And a true gem is the lock of the vestry - an assembly that is composed of 19 different locking mechanisms - wining a prize at the 1900's Paris world fair (and is still working today).
Also interesting - outside of the church is the Catholics tower - a small chapel of those who did not convert to Lutheranism ...and was kept for those as a place of worship.
The small museum and the "reconciliation chamber" - used for centuries for the couples with marital issues.
The mausoleum tower with the tombstones of bishops are also interesting.
Overall a great experience when you are in the area I do recommend you put this place on your travel agenda - it is well worth it.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ericgoldman
Mountain View, CA228 contributions
Sep 2012 • Friends
Biertan is one of many fortified Saxon churches in Transylvania. Basically, it’s an relatively unremarkable 14th century Saxon church surrounded by fortifications located in the middle of a very dusty, sleepy and economically impoverished town. The fortifications are in outstanding condition and can be fully inspected without any admission charge. You do have to pay to get into the church (less than $3), which even at that low price may not be worth it. The main attraction inside the church is a door with 19 locks--a little steampunky, but still unremarkable.
Written September 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J G del Rosario
Manila, Philippines516 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Biertan is another of the early Saxon walled or fortress churches in the Transylvania district of Romania. But unlike Prejmer, which we visited before Biertan (and which we also strongly recommend) Biertan did not have temporary accommodations for the villagers in case of war or invasion. And it’s one of the first German settlements in all of Transylvania. There were three levels of walls to protect the church. Inside the large church was the massive altar with different picture frames. They had a sacristy door with a 5-simultaneous lock mechanism that won first prize in a competition in the 1500s in Germany. Also a watch tower, a divorce jail where couples petitioning for divorce had to be kept for several weeks before being granted divorce, and they had only one of everything so they had to share everything. And supposedly, at the end of the six weeks or so, most couples voluntarily took back their request for divorce. There was a small building where they kept the tombstones and we took pictures there. And the usual covered steps for the villagers. We also drove behind the fortress to take a better picture. Then it was off to Sibiu.No trip to Sibiu will be complete without a Biertan stopover.
Written July 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sasi S
Foggia, Italy
Quali sono gli orari
carlatour48
Imola, Italy3,577 contributions
In maggio chiudeva alle 17.00 peccato non essere arrivati in tempo!!!
tessy82
Milan, Italy119 contributions
We will be 15 people travelling in Biertan on Sunday, 29 April. I know it should be closed...any contact forsaking if possible organizing in any case a tour?
thanks
Stefania P
1,036 contributions
Non so se la domenica é aperto al pubblico, e purtroppo non ho alcun contatto da fornire a cui chiedere.
Mi dispiace, sarà per la prossima volta.
kcmedic4203
Kansas City, MO1 contribution
Hi, kcmedic4203. What would you like to know about this attraction?
My mother in laws mother grew up in Transylvania and went to this church. She passed away in her home here in the US with her family at her side. Her name was Irma Rizzetello maiden name Markus. The family that lives in Germany contacted this church and had them set up to have the bell ring on 10/24 , the day we lay Irma to rest by her husbands side in Buffalo, NY. I would love to be able to get a recording of the bells being rung on 10/24 in honor of Irma to give to my mother in law to keep. Do you know if this would be possible and if so any contact information would be so thankful. Thank you for any help you can give.
Thank you
Mihai M
Timisoara, Romania18 contributions
Hi, called the local priest, Ulf Ziegler and I found out that the bell is not ringing for the time being, due to restoration process. It will take some time to be back in use (probably next year). I'll keep you posted.
Mihai
Michael M
Westlake Village, CA72 contributions
Best way to visit Bietran w/o a car,taxi or tour?
Traveling form Sibiu to Sighisora in early June.
Liviu Constanti... M
Ploiesti, Romania85 contributions
Hi,
I recommend taxi. From Sighisoara to Biertan are around 30 km. The cost should be around 20$.
Have a nice trip,
Liviu
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Frequently Asked Questions about Biertan Fortified Church
- Hotels near Biertan Fortified Church:
- (0.05 mi) Unglerus Pensions
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- Restaurants near Biertan Fortified Church:
- (0.03 mi) Unglerus Medieval Restaurant
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Biertan Fortified Church Information
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