The most photographed building in Romania, the Black Church (Biserica Neagră) is one of the most imposing places of worship in our country and in South-East Europe. Located right in the historic centre of Brașov, the church is one of the best-known tourist attractions in Transylvania, drawing more than 250,000 visitors every year.
“The largest church between Vienna and Constantinople” is over 89 metres long and 38 metres wide, and its cross tower is 65 metres high, making it one of the most representative examples of Gothic architecture. Its capacity is impressive, with room for around 5,000 people.
The building took a long time to complete, starting in 1377 and finishing 100 years later. The process was affected by the Ottoman invasion of 1421.
It got its name from a fire in 1689, when it was partly damaged and its walls turned black. The name was officially accepted in the 19th century. The rebuilding of the church then took another 100 years, during which the roof was extended and the interior was renovated, so that the style became rather more Baroque.
Another feature that puts the church in the spotlight is the bronze bell weighing 6 tonnes, which makes it the largest in the country. Besides this one, the church tower holds two other, smaller bells.
What will you discover inside the church?
- The largest working organ in South-East Europe, the Bucholtz mechanical organ, with 3,993 pipes and 76 stops, inaugurated in 1839 by Carl August Bucholz, who performed several improvisations as well as pieces by famous composers.
- The largest collection of oriental carpets in the country and in the south-east of the continent. Many of them are donations from former visitors. You will have the chance to admire the variety and splendour of colours of around 110 oriental carpets. To protect this impressive collection, the church windows have been fitted with UV protection.
- The bronze baptismal font dating from 1472, one of the few objects in the church that were not damaged by the fire.
- The main altar, built in 1866, shows the Sermon on the Mount (a central place in the belief in God's grace).
An interesting discovery was made only a few years ago, when 1,400 graves were found in the churchyard cemetery. Two of them caught the attention of archaeologists because they seemed so old that the history of Brașov may have begun long before the written records in official documents (the first historical record of the city dates from 1235, while in reality the city may be 50 years older).
