Cristian (Neustadt bei Kronstadt) Fortified Church

Nothing of the initial fortification systems of the church in the town of Râşnov has remained, since it was completely demolished in 1831. Today the assembly comprises an initial Romanesque basilica, which was rebuilt in Gothic style. In this regard, the aisles’ arcades were modified and the chancel was rebuilt. On the northern wall, fragments of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ are preserved. The tower was constructed in the Gothic phase. The interior furnishing with altar and organ originates in the 18th century and the flat ceiling was built in the 19th century.
High above the town, the villager’s fortress is to be found. Partially in ruins, partially rebuilt, the fortification is nowadays a famous tourist attraction. The oldest part was built in the 14th century, but the fortress, functioning as such well into the 18th century, was demolished and rebuilt several times. Next to the remains of a church, the assembly still preserves many fortification systems as well as several small chambers which today serve as souvenir shops and exhibition space.

Only the triumphal arch is preserved from the 13th century Romanesque basilica. A vault carried on stone ribs, which end on consoles decorated with face-masks, covers the late Gothic chancel that was built two centuries later. After the church was destroyed by the troops of Gabriel Báthory, the community needed more than 50 years until it started rebuilding in 1665. The vault of the chancel and the paneled ceiling of the nave were built in that time. More than a century later the bell tower was erected and in the same time the wooden galleries inside the church.
On the baptismal font from 1741 two inscriptions in German and in Latin can be read. They are also mentioned in a church book dating back to the 18th century. A portcullis and a machicolation secured the entrance of the 14th/15th century curtain wall. The view of the main entrance is blocked by the town hall today.
Inside the fortification several good preserved granaries can be visited. An interesting visit can be the one of the Evangelic cemetery located behind the church. The tombs sheltered on the perimeter under a common roof and the stories about those resting there are worth paying a visit.

On the settlement founded in the 13th century by the Teutonic Order, the 15th century Gothic basilica evolved by altering the preceding Romanesque church. Later on it was fortified and surrounded by a curtain wall with five defence towers, an outer bailey, a moat, and the tower of the church was provided with arrow loops. After battle damages, the church was re-built in its original shape in 1658, but the vaults of the nave were added later in 1775. Remaining details of the Gothic period, besides the plan composition of the ground floor, are the Gothic cross rib vault of the chancel and the domical vault of the apse as well as the trefoil tracery windows. In the reconstruction phase the distinctive roof of the tower in form of a truncated pyramid with an open level for the bells was built.
The interior setting was created during the 18th and 19th century. Unique in Transylvania is the 1902 colourful floral and ornamental painting covering all walls and vaults.