Câlnic: Fortress and Church in the Hilly Landscape

The Fortress of Câlnic is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. As a rural fortress, it is regarded as the best-preserved example of a fortification that evolved from fortified noble residences and was taken over by Saxon communities. The complex also preserves one of the last greaves' residences in Transylvania.

Culture

The fortress was built around 1270; it included a donjon, a defensive wall and a water-filled moat. Access was possible only via a drawbridge. The present-day fortress consists of two concentrically arranged oval ring walls, reinforced by two towers and a bastion.

One of the fortress towers is also known by the names “Turnul slăninii” and “Fleischerturm”. Another fortress tower bears the name “Turnul clopotelor” because of its four bells; in Romanian, this means bell tower. Thus, alongside “Turnul slăninii”, or “Fleischerturm”, there is a second distinct tower designation within the fortress ensemble.

The chapel inside the fortress has a Gothic west portal and a wooden gallery dated 1733, with panels painted with floral motifs. It also preserves fragments of a fresco from the early 16th century.

The present-day fabric of the Evangelical church of Câlnic dates from the 15th century and was extensively altered in the 19th century, giving it its present Neo-Gothic appearance. Archaeological investigations found a small older hall church within the present church, whose construction probably began around 1100.

The medieval church preserves a Gothic choir and a west façade with two western towers. A tombstone of Nicolaus dating from around 1300 was found there, which the archaeologist described as a unique epigraphic piece in Romania. The listed church also contains painted choir stalls made in Sighișoara around 1780.

The west gallery of the Evangelical church houses an organ from 1867, built by Carl Hesse of Vienna. A virtual tour of the Evangelical church of Câlnic is available online.

Landscape

Câlnic lies in the western part of the Apold Depression, in a hilly landscape crossed by the Câlnic stream, a tributary of the Secaș. Câlnic also lies in the Sebeș-Apold Depression Corridor, in a hilly landscape at elevations between 300 and 600 metres.

Road access to Câlnic includes the DJ 106F towards Gârbova and the DC 49 towards Deal.

Things to Do

The Evangelical church of Câlnic is designated as a destination on a cultural cycling tour through historic towns and Saxon villages. Route III, which is 129 kilometres long, leads from Câlnic via Gârbova, Miercurea Sibiului, Săliște, Cristian, Sibiu, Cisnădie and Cisnădioara back to Câlnic.

In Câlnic, the traditional event “Datina străbună pe Secașe” was presented on 1 February in its 32nd edition.

Further Places

Other places in the same broader area include Sebeş, Ocna Mureș, Gârbova, Albac, Șugag, Ponor, Rimetea and Scărișoara.

To the broader travel overview: Alba.