History, attractions, accommodation
And which reasons pushed this people to quit their land to come in the far, wild, wooden counties of Transylvania?
Later, more than 200 churches of the villages received fortifications. Why, in a time when the canon law does not allow the fortification of santuary only in exceptional cases? Why so many efforts of these communities?
Viscri is only one of the Saxon villages of Transylvania. Of course, is a special one, due to his great fortified church which is part of UNESCO World Heritage.
When the Saxons came here, at the end of 12th century, they have found a little chappel, which suffered transformations during the time. The actual church of Viscri is a romanesque chapel enlarged in the early 16th century to form a single-nave church, with a fortified storey resting on semicircular arches supported by massive buttresses; walls strengthened in the 17th century (UNESCO description). A very interesting museum is part of the citadel.
The documents tell that the village of Viscri was allways a free community, never beeing part of a noble property.
Around AD 1500 the village has 51 households, 3 shepherds, 1 teacher and 2 poors.
Still now, Viscri is a small village, with no more than 500 inhabitants, from which only about 27 are Saxons. People say that Viscri hide the most picturesque fortified church of the Saxons from Transylvania.
Viscri is also known due to the great job in restoring done by the Mihai Eminescu Trust, the foundation patroned by The Prince of Wales. What is less known is that the work and the efforts of the foundation covers not only Viscri, but many other Saxon villages in Transylvania ( Crit, Mesendorf, Malancrav, Saschiz).
The village is located in the center of Romania, close to Sighisoara (40km). You have to quit the main road (DN13/E60) in Bunesti, and then a paved road will bring you here (8km).
We encourage you to stay in the area more than few hours. Think to visit not only a fortified church, but to explore the country life of Transylvania. Try local food and accommodation. You will enjoy its.
