Discover Schaas: Fortified Church, Churches and Josef Haltrich

Culture and History

The Evangelical church in Șaeș is listed as historic monument MS-II-m-A-16038.01 and dated to the years 1820 to 1832. The ensemble of the fortified Evangelical church is listed as monument MS-II-a-A-16038 and is dated to the years 1500 to 1525 as well as the 17th to 19th centuries. Also listed as a historic monument is the Biserica Schimbarea la Față in Șaeș, with the number MS-II-m-A-16037; it is dated to the years 1805 to 1821.

The original Romanesque church of Șaeș collapsed in 1802. Its ruins were completely removed, and by 1820 a Neoclassical replacement in the form of a hall church had taken its place. The church has a recessed choir and a western bell tower. Pilasters and cornices lend restrained articulation to the church and tower. The tower is crowned by a pyramid roof with brightly glazed tiles and a lantern covered with sheet metal. The lantern still bears its original festoon decoration as a sheet-metal relief.

Surviving Traces of the Fortified Church

Remains of the surrounding wall, a small defensive tower and a defensive building have survived from the fortified church in Șaeș. The latter was probably built as a granary and is said to have served as a prayer house during the construction of the new church. The defensive building is considered to be on the verge of collapse; the church has severe structural damage that urgently needs to be repaired.

Josef Haltrich and the Parish House

In 1856, Josef Haltrich published the collection of fairy tales “German Folk Tales from the Saxon Land in Transylvania” in Berlin, with the assistance of Jacob Grimm. In 1872, he came to Șaeș, took over the parish there and was buried in the local cemetery. The parish house in Șaeș is considered part of the cultural heritage of Apold commune.

Geographical Location

DJ 106 is the main access road into the Șaeș Valley. It runs from Sibiu via Agnita, Apold, Șaeș and Sighișoara to DN 13. The Șaeș stop is listed as a historic stopping point from the late 19th century and is located at kilometre 10+100 on the outskirts of the village in the direction of Sighișoara. From the cemetery on the edge of the Schaas Field, there is a view of the village and its surroundings.

Other places: Gorneşti, Curteni, Ugern, Rohrdachen, Feleag, Eremitu, Bistra Mureşului, Absdorf

Cycling Tour

An approximately 50-kilometre cycling tour has an easy to moderate difficulty level. It runs mainly along the Via Transilvanica as well as on gravel, dirt and lightly trafficked paved roads. For a cycling tour, route length, surface and difficulty level are among the usual details used for preparation. Current route conditions and possible closures can be checked before setting out. For sections on lightly trafficked paved roads, current traffic information can also be taken into account. At historic churches and defensive buildings, current opening hours should be checked before visiting.

To the higher-level travel overview: Mures.