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Fortified Church Cincșor, Brasov

Superb view of the Făgăraș Mountains

Location and access

The fortified church Cincșor is near the Brasov-Sibiu segment of the DN1. In Voila, turn right as you come from Brasov on the DJ105, cross the railroad and the Olt river and immediately enter the village of Cincșor. From the DN exit you have to travel 2,3 km. The village of Cincsor belongs administratively to commune of Voila. From both Brasov and SIbiu it is 80 km (50 miles) which can be covered by road in 1,5 hours. The church is easy to spot from a distance because of its slender silhouette. It is situated on a bend in the road coming from the DN. If you want a good and free parking place, stop your car on the small street that turns right just before you reach the church, practically on the side of the church. The Voila railroad station is 1.5 miles from the church.

About the fortified church of Cincșor

Evangelical fortified church in Cincsor was built in the 13th century and is listed historical monument. It is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. In this area have lived many Saxons who have left their architectural imprint on the houses specific to this ethnic group. Today only a few dozens of Saxons still live in Cincsor.

1. Exterior of the fortification

The big gate is on the main street. We found it locked, but a sign with a phone number directed us to dial it to visit. By the time the person at the other end of the line came, we appreciated finding signs with maps and information. Cincsor is called Kleinschenk in German toponymy and means "little inn". The fortress really looks like a fortress. We partially turned the wheel until our host came. On the wooden top of the main gate there are two flood levels that have been reached in the past, what a pity it must have been!

flood markings

fortification

Fortified Church of Cincșor

tourist trails

2. Inside the fortification

We were led to enter through the courtyard at the back of the church where there was a smaller wooden gate, you can see on the left of the picture. We entered the churchyard. A German from Berlin, married to a Sasosos from Cincsor, was our guide. The man spoke good Romanian, but I used the chance to practice my German, so I had a bilingual German-Romanian guide. We first marked the towers in the corners of the fortified wall. The former main tower, the far tower, was not visitable due to its dilapidated state and the risk of climbing on it. But we were able to enter the nearest tower located to the right of the church entrance. The narrow staircase took us to the first level where it was the dungeon. We then climbed up the steep staircase to the top of the tower, where we were pleasantly surprised to see an exhibition of paintings by children. From the tower we looked all around, towards the other tower not visible, towards the Fagaras Depression but especially towards the remote and snowy panorama of the Fagaras Mountains.

 

visitable tower

the dungeon

exhibition of paintings

Făgăraș Mountains

turn

3. Evangelical Church

We got off the tower and headed towards the entrance to the church located in the center of the fortification. At the entrance to the church I read and translate to the others the verse "Glaubet Ihr nicht so bleibet Ihr nicht", meaning "if you don't believe, don't stay". I think it refers to church attendance. The church is simple, built in Gothic style, with pews lined up. I liked the idea of brass band instruments inside the church. The church also has an old organ, appreciated in Transylvania by connoisseurs.

if you don't believe, don't stay

wind instruments

old organ

Conclusion

Half-hour visit to Fortified Church of Cincșor and the pleasant company of the very special guide we enjoyed. We found out on this occasion that around the church, there was the school, to which funds were attracted, and which looked good, but also the house where our hosts lived, and which could accommodate guests as a guesthouse / inn. A quiet place, little visited and little known, with a marvelous perspective on the Fagaras Mountains ridge that I recommend you to visit when you have a wink.

Other nearby tourist attractions: Herghelia Sambata de Jos, Brancoveanu Monastery from Sambata de Sus, city of Brasov, town of SIbiu, town of Codlea.

All the best!

Steps:

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