The Malancrav Fortified Church in the heart of Transylvania, Romania is a treasure trove of history and architecture waiting to be explored. The Church dates back to the 14th century and has since undergone various renovations, but its historical significance remains intact.

In this blog, we will delve into the rich history of the Malancrav Fortified Church and explore its unique design features, such as Gothic architecture, ornamental carvings, ancient frescos, exquisite stained glass windows, and much more. We will also discuss why Malancrav is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to experience the cultural richness of Transylvania.

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The Malancrav Fortified Church was built as a Catholic church in approximately 1350 and dedicated to St. Mary. The Church has been a Lutheran protestant church since the Reformation in 1550. It was, however, still used as a pilgrimage church for Catholics up to the 17th century.

The Church is still used for weekly services in the German language by the Lutheran community, which consists of 130 Saxons.

The Malancrav Fortified Church serves as a place of worship and a community gathering space. Over the centuries, this historic Church has witnessed numerous significant events, solidifying its status as a cultural landmark. Occasionally, people wear traditional clothing to church to celebrate their culture.

Through extensive restoration work, the Church’s structural integrity and historical authenticity have been preserved. These preservation initiatives aim to maintain the cultural and architectural significance of the Church.

The preservation efforts are a collaborative endeavor involving local communities, organizations, and authorities. By working together, they strive to protect this valuable heritage site and its captivating stories.

The Romanesque Church is made up of a nave, built in 1350, and two nave aisles, built in 1400, all with a coffered ceiling. The sanctuary, built in 1350, houses a renowned winged altar and has a ribbed vaulting.

As you explore the Malancrav Fortified Church, you can’t help but admire the Gothic architecture that defines this magnificent structure. The pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses showcase the intricate craftsmanship of this style. Thanks to restoration efforts, this architectural masterpiece has been preserved for all to admire.

The construction of the Malancrav Fortified Church employed traditional building techniques that still impress visitors today. Craftsmanship and skill were vital in creating this architectural marvel, which is a testament to the historical context and cultural significance of these techniques.

The Church was built using local stone and timber, showcasing the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the builders. Preserving and promoting these traditional methods is crucial for maintaining the authenticity and charm of Malancrav’s heritage. It is fascinating to explore the unique materials and craftsmanship that went into creating this remarkable structure.

The stone walls are not as impressive as other fortified churches in Transylvania. For example, they do not have a covered area or exterior towers.

The enclosed tower, constructed in 1400, is above the entrance hall on the west side of the Church. At the end of the 15th century, an additional floor with crenels was added to the tower, as well as a wall with guard towers around the Church to ward off Tartar or Turkish attacks. Only one of these guard towers has survived to the present day.

Make your way to the top of the tower to soak in the panoramic views of the village and the picturesque countryside. The wooden ladders are fine, but one flight has wooden stairs that are held together with baling wire and are not in the best condition. However, the views from above are worth the effort.

The Church is adorned with exquisite ornamental carvings that showcase the talent of the artisans. Detailed carvings of plants, animals, and biblical figures can be found throughout the Church, each meticulously crafted with intricate detail. These carvings not only add to the overall beauty of the Church but also tell stories and convey religious symbolism. They provide a glimpse into the cultural and religious significance of the Church, offering visitors a deeper understanding and appreciation of its rich history.

The walls and ceiling of the chancel, as well as the north wall of the nave, have some of the most important Gothic frescoes in Transylvania.

The frescoes in the cross vault portray the four evangelists, the Annunciation, the Birth of Jesus, the Magi’s visit, and Jesus presented at the temple. Around the headstone, on which the Apafi family’s coat of arms can be found, the following saints are depicted (left to right): Appolonia, Dorothea, Ursula, Katharina, Agnes, Margaretha, Barbara, Agnes, Lucia, and Agatha.

The north wall of the chancel shows scenes from the Passion of Jesus Christ. The south wall shows scenes from the legend of St George, as well as the Archangel Michael, two Blackfriars, several saints, the Coronation of Mary, the family of the donor, and St. Christopher.

The stories of the frescoes in the nave can be followed from left to right, then right to left, and so on from top to bottom. They show scenes from Genesis up until Cain and Abel, the Birth and Childhood of Christ, Passion Week, the Crucifixion, Resurrection, appearances of Jesus to his disciples, Ascension, as well as a legend surrounding Mary’s death.

In 1882, the frescoes in the chancel were partly painted over (see the visible line below the feet of Jesus in the Crucifixion of Jesus). However, the frescoes were uncovered again in 1913-1914 during repairs on several parts of the Church, which were finished in 1925.

The winged altar, originating from approximately 1495, is the oldest altar in its original location in Transylvania. The painter is unknown, and scholars believe that the pieces on the panels of the closed altar might have been painted by one of his students.

The main piece shows the Madonna on a throne surrounded by angels. At the bottom, Michael and Clara Apafi are depicted with their patron saints, the Archangel Michael and St. Clara of Assisi. This proves that the order for the altar was made before 1469, as Michael Apafi died that year.

The main piece is flanked by the Saints Catherine, Barbara, Agnetha, and Margaret. The open wings show the Bith of Jesus, the Worship by the Magi, the Ascension of Mary’s Soul, and the Death of Mary.

The immobile wings visible when the altar is closed show the Archangel Michael and St. George. The Annunciation and Mary visiting Elizabeth can be seen on the closed wings, which are characterized by a different style and different proportions.

On the base of the altar, the Resurrected Jesus and the coat of arms of the Apafi family can be identified. The truss, conserved in its original form, contains statues of Mary and St. John.

On the north side of the sanctuary, there is a vestry under which a crypt was built in 1688. Michael Apafi I and his family, who owned Malancrov for centuries, were buried inside the tomb. Their sarcophagi were removed and shipped to Budapest in the 20th century, where they remain on permanent display in the National Museum in Budapest. When the Apafi family died, ownership of the manor estate and the village was passed on to the aristocratic Bethlen family in the late 18th century.

The exquisite stained glass windows add a touch of elegance to the Church with their vibrant colors and intricate designs. As light filters through the stained glass, it creates a serene ambiance, bathing the Church in a soft, ethereal glow. Each window tells a story, depicting biblical scenes and religious symbolism, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of the time.

The organ currently in use was built by Wegenstein in Timisoara in 1925. It replaced the smaller organ from the 18th century.

There are a few hotels near Malancrav. Because of their low number, most people stay in Sighisoara or Brasov and take a tour to Malancrav. The castle marker on the map below is Malancrav Fortified Church. You can change the dates, set your preferences, and zoom in and out to explore the area hotels.

Here are some great options for a private tour to Malancrav! In addition to the options below, we have used GetTranfer to book private transfers and recommend it as well.

If you travel by car, Malancrav is conveniently located 25 km (16 miles) from Sighisoara, 92 km (57 miles) from Sibiu, and 142 km (88 miles) from Brasov.

We left Sighisoara at 8:35 and arrived in Malancrav by 9:00 a.m.

Parking in Malancrav is available near the fortified Church. You’ll find designated parking areas where you can safely leave your car while you explore the village and its attractions. Be sure to follow any parking regulations and respect the local residents’ space.

There is no public transportation to Malancrav.

Several cycling and hiking routes connect Malancrav to nearby villages, including Sighisoara.

There is no ticket office for the Malancrav Fortified Church. Like other fortified churches, it is necessary to contact the keyholder to gain entry. The contact information is:

Family Linzing, House Number 307

Phone: +40 269 448696

Mobile: +40 775 142285

Email: linzing.michael@yahoo.com

There is no cellular service in Malancrav, so you need to make arrangements ahead of time.

The entry fee is 8 lei per person to be deposited in a donation box inside the Church.

Malancrav is first mentioned in historical records in a contract written by the Apafi family in 1305. For centuries, Malancrav and its inhabitants were the property of the Apafi family, Hungarian aristocrats, before it was handed over to the Bethlen family in the late 18th century. This is unique for a Saxon village because most Saxons settled on land belonging to the King, which gave them special rights and independence.

For a long time, only the Manor House, Vicarage, and one other building in the village were built of stone. Only after the residents of Malancrav were released from their servitude and following a great fire that destroyed most of the town in the middle of the 19th century were the houses built from stone. Many of the houses in the village show their date of construction.

In 1989, Malancrav had a Saxon population of 650 people, which was down to 283 in 1992 and 167 in 2002. Today, there are 130 members of the Lutheran parish remaining. This is the highest proportion of Saxons in a village in Transylvania.

Malancrav is a typical Saxon village with the highest percentage of Germans left in Transylvania. The Church owns all the buildings around the fortified Church. Long-term plans are to renovate the building at the entrance to the property for a café. Currently, the only food available in the village is the supermarket.

The Manor House (also known as Curia Nobilitaris) was built by the Hungarian aristocratic family, Apafi, probably in the 15th century. Saxon villages rarely have their own Manor House (only a few villages were governed by the Hungarians).

Archeological evidence suggests the house was built in several phases. A residence was built on the site as early as the 15th century. The current house was built by the 17th century. It appears to have been rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Fifteen inventories of the property have been discovered in the Hungarian State Archives. They include all the alterations made in and around the house between 1679 and 1778. The records show the condition of the buildings, as well as their decoration and furnishings. Records cover the Manor House, gardens, stables, farm buildings, and outbuildings, including vinegar houses, kitchens, guard and prison huts, and a small tower. Annotations of locks, doors, paintings on the walls, and furniture are considerably detailed.

This detailed record is very unusual, perhaps unique. Budapest historians confirm that such records do not exist for other 17th and 18th-century Transylvanian or Hungarian manor houses. This record exists because Michael Apafi II became particularly prominent in circles of nobility once he was officially recognized as Prince of Transylvania around 1690.

In the late 18th century, the Apafi family died out, and the property was passed on to the closely related Bethlen family. In the 19th century, the Manor House was bought by a Hungarian commoner. Around the same time, the Apafi family mausoleum was removed from the Church to its present site at the National Museum in Budapest, where it is on permanent exhibition.

The house was sold by its last private owner to the Evangelical village community in the 1920s, but from 1947 to 1989, it was confiscated by communist authorities. After regaining legal ownership of the building with the help of the Mihai Eminescu Trust, the Church sold the building to the Trust in December 2000, having neither funds to renovate it nor a particular purpose for its future use.

Under the architect Jan Hulsemann and masterbuilders Fritz Klusch and Ernst Linzing, the Manor House has been restored as much as possible to its original 18th-century plan. During the summer of 2004, the extension that existed previously was rebuilt, and the pillars were replaced.

The restored Apafi Manor House was consecrated at a service in the Church on October 1, 2007. Lutheran, Romanian Orthodox, and Hungarian Catholic priests jointly officiated the service.

When visiting Malancrav Fortified Church, it’s important to keep a few things in mind to make the most of your experience.

Be sure to check the opening hours of the Church beforehand, as they can vary. The opening time during the summer tourist season (July, August, to mid-September) is 10:00 a.m.

Plan ahead and familiarize yourself with essential information about the village and church to make the most of your time there.

Consider visiting early in the day to beat the crowds and enjoy the village and fortified church in peace.

While exploring Malancrav village, take the time to stroll along its charming streets and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. Admire the traditional Saxon houses with their colorful facades and well-preserved architecture. Immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting the artisans’ workshops where you can witness traditional crafts being practiced.

Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes as you explore the fortified church, the manor house, and the village.

Malancrav is a small village with few opportunities for lunch.

Malancrav is definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in exploring a charming and authentic Romanian village. Located in Transylvania, Malancrav is known for its well-preserved rural architecture, traditional way of life, and beautiful landscapes.

You can also wander through the narrow streets, visit local craftsmen, and even stay in a guesthouse to experience the warm hospitality of the locals. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or simply enjoying the peaceful countryside, Malancrav offers a unique and memorable experience.

Transylvania is home to numerous churches, each with its own unique history and architectural style. While it is difficult to provide an exact number, some estimates suggest that there are over 200 fortified churches in Transylvania alone. These churches not only serve as places of worship but also stand as testaments to the region’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance. From Saxon fortified churches like the one in Malancrav, to Gothic masterpieces like the Black Church in Brasov, Transylvania’s churches offer visitors a glimpse into the region’s past and a chance to connect with its spiritual traditions.

The fortification of churches in Transylvania served multiple purposes throughout history. One of the main reasons was to protect the local communities from frequent invasions and raids. During the Middle Ages, Transylvania was located at the crossroads of several empires and faced constant threats from Ottoman and Tatar invasions. Fortifying churches provided a means of defense for the villagers, as they could seek refuge within the fortified walls during times of danger.

There are over 200 fortified churches in Transylvania. Some of the best include:

• Alma Vii
• Biertan
• Cloasterf
• Copsa Mare
• Crit
• Darjiu
• Malancrav
• Mosna
• Richis
• Saschiz
• Valea Viilor
• Viscri

For more information, check out our article Explore Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania with suggested day trips from Brasov and Sighisoara.