The Church-Fortresses of the Transylvanian Saxons

This bok presents 167 of the most noteworthy Transylvanian church-fortresses. Based on thorough research and the authors professional expertise it highlights their value as outstanding monuments of medieval arhitecture. Providing insights into the historic, social and religious function of these edifices, it allows readers to appreciate their aura as mirrors of the centuries-old culture of Transylvanian Saxon village communities that built them. As a result of the historic developments between 1914 and 1989 (the time span Romanian Neagu Djuvara conceives of as \"th 75-years´ war\"), the number of ethnic Germans in Transylvania has declined ta a mere seven per cent of their population in the mid-20th century. This has far-reaching consequences for the present usee and the preservation of the church-fortresses, whose historical, aesthetic, and arhitectural significance deserves the attention of a wide audience, as does their potential for tourism. Having appeard in both German and Romanian, this book als hopes to reach the present-day inhabitants of previously Saxon villages, in whose centre the church-fortresses stil stand as widely visible landmarks.