Evangelical Church in Șmig

Among the churches in the Târnava Valley, the Evangelical church in Șmig, attested since 1390, boasts one of the largest and best-preserved medieval mural paintings, covering an area of approximately 250 square meters. Today, numerous students from both the country and abroad, under the guidance of renowned specialists, uncover the secrets of restoring medieval frescoes through applied study.

Brief historical insight

The first documentary mention of the village of Șmig dates back to 1317 when King Charles Robert reconfirmed the rights of the Saxons living in this region, acquired in 1224, recognizing the document issued by King Andrew II, known as the "Saxon Law" or "Andreanum." However, there are traces of habitation that predate the documentary evidence, such as the 3,500-year-old treasure from Șmig.

The Evangelical church in Șmig was likely built by Saxon settlers at the end of the 14th century. Over time, the church underwent several modifications, the most extensive being those made around 1846. Built in late Gothic style, the church, which once bore the dedication to St. Mary, has a simple shape consisting of a nave and choir. However, it presents a series of peculiarities that give it authenticity.

Today, services are no longer held in the church, but through the care of those who administer it, the building has become a cultural space, multi-ethnic and multi-confessional. Annual camps and practical restoration workshops, conferences, and exhibitions focusing on the historical and architectural context of the monument are organized here for students and specialists. Through the young people who come here from abroad to study and apply classical and modern techniques of restoring medieval frescoes, the place acquires a unique vibration and the optimistic aura of a space that can be revitalized through culture and education.

Representation of the Legend of Saint Ladislaus

The Evangelical church in Șmig boasts one of the largest and best-preserved medieval mural paintings, covering an area of approximately 250 square meters. The more significant portions of the painting, brought to light starting in 2009, depict scenes from the Legend of Saint Ladislaus, such as the Mounted Pursuit of the Cuman, but also the Prayer of Saint Catherine or the Living Cross, as well as other themes specific to medieval Catholicism.

Only stripped in 2017, two partially visible scenes – the Confrontation of the Hungarian army with the Cuman army and the Mounted Pursuit of the Cuman – prove that the Legend of Saint Ladislaus was represented in the upper register, according to the usual iconographic canon.

From a formal point of view, the technique used for these paintings belongs to the International Gothic style and may have been executed sometime in the first decades of the 15th century.

Unique Experiences

The village of Șmig belongs to the eco-tourism destination of the Transylvanian Hills, which includes nationally protected areas and areas that are part of the European Natura 2000 network. It is the second-largest protected area in the country, after the Biosphere Reserve of the Danube Delta, with 10 protected natural areas. The area comprises over 1000 species of flora and 4200 hectares of tree-covered meadows, unique areas in Europe and specific to Transylvania.

Approximately 16 km away lies Mediaș, a city documented for the first time in 1267. It is a city with a rich history, offering tourists a variety of cultural attractions, such as the architecture of the old town center and the Church of Saint Margaret with its leaning tower. When visiting the area, it would be important to taste the local wines because, not coincidentally, grape clusters are represented on the city's emblem.