2021-06-29 13h49 Harman: Biserica evanghelică fortificată
The history of Harman (Honlgberg) is closely linked to the Teutonic Knight Order and the Cistercian Order. During their stay in Transylvania (1211-1225), the Teutonic Knights Order built castles, brought German settlers (later called "Transylvanian Saxons") into the country and founded several settlements. Presumably, Harman was founded at this time. Harman was first mentioned in a document in 1240 in a deed of donation from the Hungarian king. in which the patronage of the churches of Feldioara, Sanpetru, Harman and Prejmer was awarded to the Cistercians Order.
The Romanesque three-aisled basilica, which already existed in 1240, was expanded under the influence of Cistercian architecture and equipped with a massive bell tower around the year 1300.
Due to the constant threat of predatory Mongol hordes and attacks by the Ottoman Empire, the citizens of Harman began in the 15th century to build a fortification with the church as the centre. This resulted in one of the largest fortified churches in Transylvania by the middle of the 17th century.
The weir system of Harman consists of a church which is surrounded by mighty defensive walls. The most important components of the fortified church are the huge circular walls, the seven defence towers the gate weirs and the moat. Special features are the pantries, which can be found not only on the inside of the main circular well, but also above the southern nave of the church. In times of siege, these pantries were also used for residential purposes.
The east tower of the fortified church is unique. It was created by integrating a chapel built in the early 14th century into the main wall ring. The well-preserved frescoes from the Catholic era of the Church illustrate three major themes: the Last Judgment. the Crucifixion, and the Glorification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the middle of the 16th century, the Lutheran Reformation spread to the Saxon communities in Transylvania. so that the Saxon community in Harman has been part of the Evangelical Church A. C. in Transylvania ever since.
Main attractions: Church with baroque altar, oriental carpet collection and bell tower, chapel with frescoes from the 15th century, main circular well with guard‘s walkway and defence towers, ethnographic museum in the former pantries.
2021-06-29 13h49 Harman: Biserica evanghelică fortificată
The history of Harman (Honlgberg) is closely linked to the Teutonic Knight Order and the Cistercian Order. During their stay in Transylvania (1211-1225), the Teutonic Knights Order built castles, brought German settlers (later called "Transylvanian Saxons") into the country and founded several settlements. Presumably, Harman was founded at this time. Harman was first mentioned in a document in 1240 in a deed of donation from the Hungarian king. in which the patronage of the churches of Feldioara, Sanpetru, Harman and Prejmer was awarded to the Cistercians Order.
The Romanesque three-aisled basilica, which already existed in 1240, was expanded under the influence of Cistercian architecture and equipped with a massive bell tower around the year 1300.
Due to the constant threat of predatory Mongol hordes and attacks by the Ottoman Empire, the citizens of Harman began in the 15th century to build a fortification with the church as the centre. This resulted in one of the largest fortified churches in Transylvania by the middle of the 17th century.
The weir system of Harman consists of a church which is surrounded by mighty defensive walls. The most important components of the fortified church are the huge circular walls, the seven defence towers the gate weirs and the moat. Special features are the pantries, which can be found not only on the inside of the main circular well, but also above the southern nave of the church. In times of siege, these pantries were also used for residential purposes.
The east tower of the fortified church is unique. It was created by integrating a chapel built in the early 14th century into the main wall ring. The well-preserved frescoes from the Catholic era of the Church illustrate three major themes: the Last Judgment. the Crucifixion, and the Glorification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the middle of the 16th century, the Lutheran Reformation spread to the Saxon communities in Transylvania. so that the Saxon community in Harman has been part of the Evangelical Church A. C. in Transylvania ever since.
Main attractions: Church with baroque altar, oriental carpet collection and bell tower, chapel with frescoes from the 15th century, main circular well with guard‘s walkway and defence towers, ethnographic museum in the former pantries.