Buzd Fortified Church

Only few remains are still preserved from the Gothic basilica of the 14th century and today’s church bears the signs of the changes it underwent in the 15th century. The aisles were subject to multiple transformations: the southern arcades were demolished and the wall was heightened. Particularly interesting are the arcades preserved on the northern side featuring profiled columns and various capitals. In order to stand against attacks, the church was fortified: a defence floor was built above the chancel and a battlement walk on the bell tower. Moreover the assembly was surrounded by defence wall with a five-level gate tower. A community house was constructed later on in 1906 by using material left from the partial dismantling of the defence wall.

The importance of the village of Aţel in the Middle Age results from its Gothic basilica which was built in several phases, boasting a transept, a sacristy, and a western tower. The impressive stone carvings on the pillars of the middle nave originate from the first building phase in 1380, while the rich decorated western portal might have been added in the second building phase at the beginning of the 15th century, when the fortification wall was built. In 1499 the third building phase was completed with the construction of the vaults above the naves, the heightening of the chancel and the building of the upper floors on the tower. Inside the church, beside the magnificent capitals of the pillars one can admire, the late Gothic sedilia and the finely crafted portal of the sacristy are very remarkable. The chancel boasts a pew with carvings and inlay work dating back to 1516.

From the first church built in the 14th century the western portal is preserved, as well as stones used to build the eastern pairs of pillars in the hall church from 15th century. The construction of the new church, whose size and architecture are testimony of the importance of the settlement, was accompanied by extensive measures to fortify the assembly: a defence level was added to the chancel, the northern and southern entrances were strengthened by towers provided with loop holes. A parapet walk on arches was built on the curtain wall, as well as several defence towers and an outer bailey, which is divided in two parts and protected by a small watchtower.
The interior of the church impresses due to its dimensions and excellent sculptures, as well as the Gothic lierne vault on pairs of stone pillars.