The ensemble of the fortified evangelical church at Cristian

On the bank of the Ghimbășel River, in Brașov County, in a place carefully chosen more than 800 years ago, the fortified church in Cristian stands tall. It is a unique architectural ensemble, like all others erected by the Saxons, none identical to another.

The body of the basilica was originally built in Romanesque style, but many of the decorative elements are Gothic, influenced by the Cistercian construction site in Cârța (today in Sibiu County). The church was originally dedicated to St. Nicholas.

It has undergone numerous changes over the centuries, adaptations caused mainly by earthquakes, foreign attacks and an increase in the number of inhabitants. After the devastating earthquake of 1838, which led to a complete restoration of the church, the new roof and the bell tower were built, to which a floor and the four towers were added in 1903.

The most important event at the church was the coronation, in September 1690, of the Prince of Transylvania. This was attended by the voivode of Wallachia, Constantin Brâncoveanu, together with the Transylvanian Diet, convened in Cristian.

Quite unique is the cemetery arranged in 1792 in an enclosure of the fortifications. If you've arrived here, you must visit it.  Such cemeteries are found in few places in Europe. But also villages with record numbers of storks, such as Cristian, you will not find it that easily!  

The place is located at an altitude of 565 meters and it is crossed by the Ghimbășel Brook, a watercourse that springs from the Bucegi Mountains. Its borders extend to the north and west up to the Bârsa depression plain, and to the east up to Mount Postăvaru. 

Cristian is crossed by the connecting road between Brașov and Câmpulung Muscel, which was in the past the most important commercial road to Wallachia, today - the most important tourist artery in the attractive area of Brașov, which also includes the Râșnov fortress and the famous Bran Castle.

Very interesting is the tombstone placed on the eastern wall of the choir, once housing the tomb of priestess Anna May, deceased in 1631, only 25 years old, who is believed to be the grandmother of silversmith master Georg May who worked for many figures of the time, including the voivode Constantin Brâncoveanu. Yes, you heard right! At just 25 she was already a grandmother.

You will surely like Cristian, if the Habsburg Emperor Joseph II, when he arrived here, exclaimed: “It's a very beautiful village!”