Cincu Fortified Church
Cincu, Brașov County · Transylvania
About Cincu Fortified Church
Cincu (Großschenk in German) is a Saxon village in the north of Brașov County, between the valley of the Olt and that of the Hârtibaciu. The Evangelical church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, stands on a hill with three steep sides, so it was defended mainly from the west. It is considered one of the largest Romanesque basilicas in the Saxon villages of Romania, built by German settlers around the middle of the 13th century. From the west tower, raised and reinforced several times, the red roof and the clock can be seen from far away.
The church was fortified between 1522 and 1526, as the inscriptions in the choir and the nave show, and it was altered again after the fire of 1789. It was once surrounded by two enclosure walls with bastions and towers; today fragments of them remain, a tower on the south side, the former old town hall and a provisions store. In the Middle Ages the village was the centre of the Cincu seat, first mentioned in documents in 1329.
The complex was rehabilitated between 2018 and 2023 with European funds, and the Evangelical parish now receives visitors with a guide.
What you can see
Inside, different styles were added over the centuries: late Gothic pews, a Renaissance pulpit, a Baroque font and epitaphs, the guild stalls and a large organ on the west gallery. The side aisles were raised in 1693 to make room for galleries, with wrought-iron parapets. The altar shows the doubt of the apostle Thomas; it was originally made for the church in Moșna and then bought by the people of Cincu. The church also keeps oriental carpets from the 17th–18th centuries and objects of the guilds. The tower can be visited, and in the courtyard between the walls there are benches and tables.
Good to know
The church has no posted opening hours and is not always unlocked: visits are with a guide, after a phone booking. Do not confuse it with the church in Cincșor (Kleinschenk), a neighbouring village in another commune. Cincu also has a museum of the lole (Urzeln) masks, and the commune has a large military training ground nearby, unrelated to the church.
Information verified on 12 October 2026.
- The west tower with its clock and red roof, visible from far away on the hill between the Olt and the Hârtibaciu.
- The three-aisled basilica nave, with galleries with wrought-iron parapets seen from above.
- The altar with the doubt of the apostle Thomas, originally made for the church in Moșna.
- The organ on the west gallery and the stall of the Cincu guilds.
- The fragments of the two enclosure walls, with the south tower and the former old town hall.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Cincu is ~22 km from Făgăraș (via the DJ105 and the DN1), ~60 km from Sighișoara, ~70 km from Sibiu and ~90 km from Brașov. It is not on the DN1: the village lies north of it, on the DJ105 and DJ105A, and the church is on the hill in the centre of the village, near the market square.
Public transport: no regular public transport to the village is known; the simplest way is to come by car or by taxi from Făgăraș.
- Where to park
Leave the car on the street next to the church; there is no laid-out car park.
- Fees & discounts
There is a small admission charge set by the parish; during events admission may be free.
- Rules
The church is a place of worship still in use: visitors are asked to behave discreetly and follow the guide's instructions.
- Facilities
guided tour · tower to visit · museum of the lole masks in the village
Frequently asked questions about Cincu Fortified Church
- How long does a visit to Cincu Fortified Church take?
- A visit to Cincu Fortified Church takes about ½ – 1 hours (church, tower and courtyard).
- Can you visit Cincu Fortified Church with kids?
- Yes, Cincu Fortified Church is suitable for children (children's quiz at events).
- Where can I park at Cincu Fortified Church?
- There is free parking at Cincu Fortified Church (on the street, next to the church). Leave the car on the street next to the church; there is no laid-out car park.
- How do I get to Cincu Fortified Church?
- Cincu Fortified Church is located at Strada Pieții, nr. 527, Cincu, Brașov County. By car: Cincu is ~22 km from Făgăraș (via the DJ105 and the DN1), ~60 km from Sighișoara, ~70 km from Sibiu and ~90 km from Brașov. It is not on the DN1: the village lies north of it, on the DJ105 and DJ105A, and the church is on the hill in the centre of the village, near the market square. Public transport: no regular public transport to the village is known; the simplest way is to come by car or by taxi from Făgăraș.
- When is the best time to visit Cincu Fortified Church?
- The best season for Cincu Fortified Church: All year round (by phone booking).
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