Petersberg (Sânpetru): Fortified Church, Nature Reserve and Via Transilvanica

The fortified church ensemble of Sânpetru has a choir facing west, a bell tower arranged to the east, and a fortified enclosure with an oval ground plan.

Culture and History

A pre-Reformation chapel is located in the northern part of the church ensemble. Its valuable wall paintings date from around 1400, making them among the oldest surviving furnishings of the complex. The fortified church itself was completed in 1797. This structure was built after the medieval church had been demolished in 1794.

The inner enclosing wall also reflects the defensive character of the ensemble. It is 8 metres high and has an oval ground plan. Its architectural details include loopholes and openings for pouring pitch. Different historical layers therefore stand side by side within the complex: the pre-Reformation chapel with its wall paintings, the medieval predecessor church, and the fortified church completed in 1797.

Nature

The Dealul Lempeș botanical nature reserve is located in the administrative areas of the municipalities of Hărman and Sânpetru, on Dealul Lempeș. The elevation is also known as Dealul Cetății. The protected area covers 274.5 hectares and is classified as an area of national interest under the name Dealul Cetății–Lempeș.

Its designation as a botanical nature reserve is associated with postglacial xerothermic plant communities. The protected fauna of the nature reserve includes specimens of the common buzzard, the lesser spotted eagle and deer. The names also place the nature-related information in both spatial and conceptual context: Dealul Lempeș denotes the elevation and the nature reserve, Dealul Cetății is another name for the elevation, and Dealul Cetății–Lempeș is the name under which the protected area is classified as being of national interest. These names form part of the geographical classification of the nature reserve.

Active Trails and Experiences

The Dealul Lempeș–Sânpetru area is considered a suitable location for paragliding. A section of Via Transilvanica also passes through the municipality of Sânpetru. This section is intended to be explored on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

Another local event was the second edition of Festivalul Lempeșului. It took place at Aerodromul Sânpetru and lasted three days. Thus, in addition to the historical and scenic sites, an airfield and a multi-day festival are also part of the local events landscape.

Local Life

Sânpetru cu bun gust takes place monthly. The event brings together local producers, craftspeople and members of the community, thereby combining regional products, handicrafts and community life.

The local events therefore differ both in their frequency and their format: Festivalul Lempeșului was held as a three-day second edition at Aerodromul Sânpetru, while Sânpetru cu bun gust brings local producers, craftspeople and members of the community together every month. The named settings of local life thus include an airfield and the monthly event in the village.

Other places: Ghimbav, Șirnea, Rotbav, Recea, Sâmbăta De Sus, Kálbor, Zărneşti, Făgăraş

To the main travel overview: Brasov.