In the Hârtibaciu Plateau hidden between the wooded hills and the orchards lies Biertan, a rural settlement whose numerous urban architecture buildings “betray” its economic importance in the old days.
Biertan was set up in the 13th century by the Saxon colonists who fell in love with this region for its fertile soil and very good winegrowing conditions and turned it into a genuine “Wine Land”.
The settlement grew rapidly in the Middle Ages when the guilds appeared and thus became an agricultural and wine growing centre. Moreover, in 1572 Biertan also became the spiritual centre of the Transylvanian Saxon as the Seat of the Evangelic Bishop was established here. In the 18th-19th centuries, Biertan was considered a genuine urban centre whose buildings were inspired by those in Mediaş.
Although Biertan did not keep its old urban look, in exchange it has gained the charm of a picturesque commune with old traditional Saxon houses build in the Transylvanian baroque style, with thick walls, stone foundations and ornamental wine-related motives. All these special buildings together with the beautiful fortified church supported the inclusion of Biertan on UNESCO’S World Heritage List.
Useful information
If you come to Biertan, you must also visit the objectives included in the Ecomuseum circuit:
- The old cooper’s workshop (43, N. Bălcescu St.);
- The old communal mill dating from early 20th century, still operational on Mondays and Tuesdays;
- The carpentry workshop of artisan Irofim Vedislav;
Did you know...?
in 1775 they discovered near biertan a donarium dating from the 4th century with the monogram of Jesus, which proves the early existence of a Christian population in these landS.
Biertan and the surrounding villages of Copşa Mare and Richiş are renowned for the diversity of their flora and fauna. This rich biodiversity was possible due to the traditional agricultural means used by the locals, without any modern technological influences.