Terra Saxonum: Fortified Churches & Saxon Hills
A journey back in time through the medieval heart of Transylvania (Siebenbürgen): UNESCO heritage, vineyards, and villages frozen between the 12th and 18th centuries.
Region Overview & History
In the 12th century, the Hungarian Crown invited German settlers (known as Transylvanian Saxons) to populate and defend the southern Carpathian basin. They founded seven major citadels (Siebenbürgen) and hundreds of villages organized around imposing fortified churches that served both as houses of worship and defensive strongholds.
Terra Saxonum preserves one of Europe’s best-kept cultural and architectural landscapes, crossing Mureș, Brașov, and Sibiu counties.
Key Locations on Google Maps
- UNESCO Fortified Churches: 📍 Saschiz Fortified Church and the colossal 📍 Biertan Fortified Church (seat of the Lutheran bishops for 300 years).
- Historic Saxon Villages: 📍 Criț, 📍 Apafi Manor & Mălâncrav Church, the multicultural village of 📍 Richiș, and the fortified church of 📍 Axente Sever (Frauendorf).
- Medieval Towns & Spa Resorts: The walled historic center of 📍 Mediaș (Trumpeters’ Tower), the ancient oak reserve of 📍 Breite Plateau (near Sighișoara), and the spa town of 📍 Bazna.
Stage Table, Duration & Locations
| Stage | Section (Google Maps Links) | Distance | Est. Time | Ascent + | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 📍 Archita – 📍 Criț | 17 km | 5 h | +380 m | Easy |
| 2 | 📍 Criț – 📍 Saschiz | 14 km | 4.5 h | +340 m | Easy |
| 3 | 📍 Saschiz – 📍 Șapartoc | 20 km | 6.5 h | +520 m | Medium |
| 4 | 📍 Șapartoc – 📍 Stejărenii (near 📍 Sighișoara) | 22 km | 7 h | +510 m | Medium |
| 5 | 📍 Stejărenii – 📍 Mălâncrav | 17 km | 5.5 h | +430 m | Easy / Medium |
| 6 | 📍 Mălâncrav – 📍 Biertan | 19 km | 6 h | +460 m | Medium |
| 7 | 📍 Biertan – 📍 Richiș – 📍 Nemșa | 14 km | 4.5 h | +390 m | Easy |
| 8 | 📍 Nemșa – 📍 Mediaș | 13 km | 4 h | +290 m | Easy |
| 9 | 📍 Mediaș – 📍 Bazna | 17 km | 5 h | +410 m | Easy / Medium |
| 10 | 📍 Bazna – 📍 Axente Sever | 25 km | 7.5 h | +580 m | Medium |
| 11 | 📍 Axente Sever – 📍 Micăsasa | 23 km | 6.5 h | +440 m | Medium |
Accommodations & Infrastructure
Sleeping inside historic Saxon homes: Here you can stay inside restored 18th-century Saxon houses (such as the traditional guesthouses in Mălâncrav or right inside the walls of the fortified church of Axente Sever in Frauendorf), enjoy tea at Tei Teehaus (Saschiz), or taste local Transylvanian wines at Bed & Wine Nemșa and Friends Wine Bar in Mediaș.