Black Church (Biserica Neagra), Brasov (must see)
The Black Church (Biserica Neagra) in Brasov, is one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Romania and the second-largest church in the country. Built from 1383 to 1477, over 600 years old, the Black Church is the city鈥檚 symbol. The stone church is the parish church of the Evangelical Lutheran community. Its name is derived from the church's walls, which turned black during a fire in 1689.
The church was built on the site of a Romanesque church, destroyed in 1241. It was originally a Roman-Catholic church dedicated to Saint Mary, the patron saint of Brasov, reflected in a fresco in the southern hall. The Protestant Reformation changed the church from Roman-Catholic to Evangelical-Lutheran in 1542.
Though the church was designed in the Gothic style, reconstruction works over the years were carried out in the Baroque architectural style. These reconstruction efforts were necessary to keep up with the growing size of parishioners and damage to the church caused by fire and earthquakes.
The Black Church has the biggest mechanical organ in the country. The Baroque organ, erected in 1839, has almost 4,000 pipes. It is one of the few Baroque organs in the world that remains in use and unchanged from its original form. The church is also known for its six-ton bronze bell, the third-largest bell in Romania.
The second-largest collection of oriental carpets in Europe is located inside the Black Church. There are 110 carpets on display, dating from the 15th century. There are no written records regarding where or when the carpets were received, but an inventory shows only 39 rugs in the church in the 1830s. It is thought that many of the rugs were bequeathed to the church after the deaths of parishioners.
Visiting the Black Church, the main city landmark, is one of the best things to do in Brasov. Its history is a faithful image of the main events that created the past of Transilvania in times of peace and war.
The church was built on the site of a Romanesque church, destroyed in 1241. It was originally a Roman-Catholic church dedicated to Saint Mary, the patron saint of Brasov, reflected in a fresco in the southern hall. The Protestant Reformation changed the church from Roman-Catholic to Evangelical-Lutheran in 1542.
Though the church was designed in the Gothic style, reconstruction works over the years were carried out in the Baroque architectural style. These reconstruction efforts were necessary to keep up with the growing size of parishioners and damage to the church caused by fire and earthquakes.
The Black Church has the biggest mechanical organ in the country. The Baroque organ, erected in 1839, has almost 4,000 pipes. It is one of the few Baroque organs in the world that remains in use and unchanged from its original form. The church is also known for its six-ton bronze bell, the third-largest bell in Romania.
The second-largest collection of oriental carpets in Europe is located inside the Black Church. There are 110 carpets on display, dating from the 15th century. There are no written records regarding where or when the carpets were received, but an inventory shows only 39 rugs in the church in the 1830s. It is thought that many of the rugs were bequeathed to the church after the deaths of parishioners.
Visiting the Black Church, the main city landmark, is one of the best things to do in Brasov. Its history is a faithful image of the main events that created the past of Transilvania in times of peace and war.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Brasov. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Black Church (Biserica Neagra) on Map
Sight Name: Black Church (Biserica Neagra)
Sight Location: Brasov, Romania (See walking tours in Brasov)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Brasov, Romania (See walking tours in Brasov)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Brasov, Romania
Create Your Own Walk in Brasov
Creating your own self-guided walk in Brasov is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Brasov Introduction Walking Tour
Brasov is a city in the historical Romanian region of Transylvania. It is surrounded by the Southern Carpathians including Mount Tampa, which overlooks Brasov.
The city was first called Corona from the Latin word for "Crown." This name was first mentioned in 1235 AD. It is thought to have been named Corona for the reference St. Catherine's Monastery. It was then renamed to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The city was first called Corona from the Latin word for "Crown." This name was first mentioned in 1235 AD. It is thought to have been named Corona for the reference St. Catherine's Monastery. It was then renamed to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Brasov Fortifications Tour
Frequent invasions by Turkish Tatars throughout the 13th-15th centuries prompted Brasov residents to build fortifications around the town. At some point, Brasov came to be known as the 鈥渟tronghold of seven bastions.鈥� Remarkably, six of them are still in place. As for the other defensive structures placed between those bastions, most of them eventually succumbed to ruin, with only a few... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Brasov's Architectural Jewels Tour
Some may be pleasantly surprised to discover in Brasov, Romania, a treasure trove of architectural marvels. Indeed, spanning medieval through modern periods, the local architecture is quite impressive in terms of style variety.
Most of Brasov's architectural monuments are headquarters of local administration, museums, or other cultural venues. Among these jewels, there are several notable... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Most of Brasov's architectural monuments are headquarters of local administration, museums, or other cultural venues. Among these jewels, there are several notable... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles