The Transylvanian Saxon Fortified Church Of Heldsdorf
The Transylvanian Saxon fortified church of Heldsdorf/Hălchiu is one of the most beautiful and picturesque of its kind in Transylvania (or Siebenbürgen as the region is known in German as well as Siweberjen in the Transylvanian Saxon dialect), central Romania. It is situated in the village of Hălchiu (known in German as Heldsdorf and in the Transylvanian Saxon dialect as Hälzdref) which can be found between Codlea (known in German as Zeiden and in the Transylvanian Saxon dialect as Zäöeden) and Feldioara (known in German as Marienburg/Marienburg in Burzenland, so as not to be mistaken for Marienburg bei Schäßburg, i.e., another locality to the north with an identical name but situated in Mureș/Mieresch County, and in the Transylvanian Saxon dialect as Marembrich), another village with a fortified church, both localities being situated in Brașov/Kronstadt County as well as in the ethnographic region of Țara Bârsei (or Burzenland as it is known in German), south-eastern Transylvania, central Romania.
The village of Hălchiu/Heldsdorf was firstly mentioned in a royal privilege dating to 1377 and was founded, according to a local legend, by a knight/count by the name Fulkun (recorded as either ‘Haldeboatski’ or ‘Hiltschi’ in the documents) and 10 families, being given the local citadel by King Andrew II of Hungary to defend it (the locality was also a free village). The founder knight Fulkun (or ‘Haldeboatski’ or ‘Hiltschi’ respectively as he is known under his folk names) is depicted on the western portal of the church as well as on the coat of arms of the locality (dressed in red and holding a mace). The fortified church from the village belongs to the local Transylvanian Saxon community, a predominantly ethnic German group (which also consisted of Walloons, Flemings, Luxembourgers, and French) which were invited to settle in Transylvania by the Hungarian monarch Géza II beginning in the 12th century (for economic and defensive reasons against foreign enemy attacks stemming from migratory Asiatic peoples such as the Cumans or the Pechenegs initially and then, later on, the Tatars, Mongols as well as, ultimately, the Ottoman Turks) and which has been part of the broader minority of Germans in Romania since 1918 onwards.
The Transylvanian Saxon medieval Lutheran fortified church of Hălchiu/Heldsdorf, Brasov/Kronstadt County, Țara Bârsei/Burzenland ethnographic region, south-eastern Transylvania, central Romania. On a personal note, the church tower reminds me of that of the Budolfi Church in Aalborg, Denmark as it is a bit similar in my humble opinion. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
The Transylvanian Saxon medieval Lutheran fortified church of Hălchiu/Heldsdorf, as seen during a sunny day. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
With a rich history that goes significantly back in time to the Middle Ages, this fortified church was originally built in the 13th century and rebuilt twice, firstly two centuries later (when it was also fortified) and secondly in 1807 (being destroyed by an earthquake which took place 5 years earlier in 1802). The church is known for having the largest medieval altar in Transylvania (which was restored during the 1970s with the support of the association of the emigrated Transylvanian Saxons of the locality). It was initially built as a basilica dedicated to Saint Andrew and then subsequently turned into hall church during the 15th century. The fortified church has a Gothic architecture. Like all Transylvanian Saxon fortified churches, it was initially Roman Catholic and then it turned Lutheran after the Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation unfolded peacefully across Transylvania.
An early 18th century engraving of the Hălchiu/Heldsdorf Transylvanian Saxon medieval fortified church (dating to circa 1727 namely) with its defensive walls surrounding it. The author of this work is Andreas Altomonte. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Documentation sources and external links:
- Biserica fortificată din Hălchiu on www.wikipedia.org (in Romanian)
- Hălchiu, Brașov on www.wikipedia.org (in Romanian)
- The Fortified Church in Hălchiu on www.brasovtourism.app
- Fortified Church Hălchiu on www.agramonia.com
- Siebenbuerger.de (Ortschaften) on www.siebenbuerger.de (in German)
