Traditional households in Biertan

Here we are in Biertan, one of the first communes officially attested in Transylvania and perhaps the most charming, included in the UNESCO World Heritage along with the fortified church in the locality, the only fortress in Transylvania with three rows of defensive walls.

As soon as you step into the village, you will notice how the village has retained its old charm: well-preserved old houses, built in Transylvanian Baroque style, with thick walls, high gates, stone foundations, apparent brick and sloping roofs covered with scale tile. You will notice that most houses are beautifully decorated with pastel façades and floral ornaments, geometric drawings or wine motifs. They all steal your attention and together they make up a unique authentic setting that harnesses tradition in the purest forms.

​​​​​​​​​​Walking along the narrow streets you will find the entire village seems frozen in time, the perfect example of picturesque rural architecture that will reconnect you with the past. Get in the middle of the community and let yourself be charmed by the local culture and customs you can discover here, because the entire development of the commune today is centred on tourism and the revival of old crafts.

Experience the authenticity of Biertan and make a stop where fairs, demonstrations of how traditional products are made, art exhibitions and workshops of local craftsmen are organised. You will leave spiritually fulfilled and the memory of this journey will be ingrained in your mind for a long time.

Historical data

Biertan was documentary attested in 1283. Its history begins with the Saxon colonisation in the middle of the 12th century, who came here at the call of King Geza II, to defend the southern borders of the kingdom against the Ottoman invasions but also to develop the area economically.

Biertan was the seat of the Saxon bishopric for three centuries (1572-1867). The tombs of the bishops are still found in the Mausoleum Tower. This historical monument is representative of the entire Saxon settlement area in Transylvania, built between 1493-1522.

Legend of the place

It is said that the fortified church housed a “dungeon” where couples who no longer got along were locked up by the priest for six weeks to solve their problems. The disagreeing spouses were brought here, imprisoned for up to six weeks by the local priest in the hope they would solve their issues and thus avoid divorce. It may seem like a nightmare, but the documents show this form of counseling, “marital prison”, was effective. There was only one divorce in 300 years.

---

Household architecture

Households in Biertan have a long history, starting from the medieval period, when the village began to develop. In the 17th century, the village became one of the most important shopping centres in the area and many residents built storage warehouses and large merchant houses. Most houses in the village were built in the traditional Saxon style, with stone and apparent brick walls and sloping roofs covered with scale tile. Some houses are decorated with beautiful floral ornaments and geometric drawings.