Stejărișu Fortified Church

The Romanesque three-aisles basilica originated from the 13th century and was re-shaped through fortification systems in 1500. On the original tower-less church a strong dungeon with defence level was built on the western side and the square chancel was strengthened with walls in such a manner, that it was possible to build another defensive tower there. At the same time, the side aisles were heightened and the building became a hall church. The central nave and the aisles were covered with fine lierne ribbed vaults. In the course of this work the rectangular precincts wall with four corner towers were also built, possibly as a replacement for an older system. The fortified buildings erected in the 16th and 17th century were used in part as accommodation. The ensemble was completed in 1914 by the construction of the community hall on the southern side. The pre-reformation crucifix above the triumphal arch was created in 1425.

The 13th century Romanesque basilica was demolished at the beginning of the 19th century, after a new church had been built in the neighbouring precinct in the same time. Disregarding the canonical orientation, the construction was built on the NS direction, with the chancel northward and the bell tower southward. The fortification, which was constructed in the 15th century around the old church, was enforced by five defence towers and had an outer bailey. End of the 18th century the number of towers raised to seven, but only for a short time: just few years later a big part of the wall was demolished and the resulting material was used for the construction of several administrative buildings.
The interior furnishing of the church boasts a unitary neoclassical style. The original lining of the galleries is still preserved and it has the form of a shirred curtain.

The Romanesque basilica built in the 14th century with three nave, polygonal chancel and west tower served as Maria’s sanctuary until the Reformation. From the fortification system built in the 15th/16th centuries only the defence level on the tower and the ruins of the fortification wall are still preserved. The defence levels above the nave and chancel were destroyed in a fire and dismantled in the 19th century. Today the church shows untypical non-plastered stone wall, as result of the restoration of 1913 that followed the tradition of the 19th century. In addition to the significant frescoes, the church shows many excellent carvings, as the tracery of the windows, the western portal and other sculptural details.
The interior of the church shelters one of the oldest Gothic winged altar, having the Mother of God as the central motif, and a late Gothic pew with carvings, coming from the workshop of Johann Reychmut.