Criț Fortified Church
Criț, Brașov County · Transylvania
About Criț Fortified Church
At a glance: Monasteries and churches in Criț, Brașov County. The visit takes 30 min. Information verified on 10 October 2026.
Criț (in German Deutsch-Kreuz) is a small Saxon village spread beneath a hill, and the fortified church stands on its crest, above the houses. The first church here is mentioned in 1270, soon after the first records of the village. It was replaced by a Gothic church dedicated to the Holy Cross, which decayed and was pulled down in 1810. In its place, between 1810 and 1813, today's church was built: a spacious hall in the Neoclassical style with a bell tower to the west.
The defensive wall comes from the earlier church. It was raised in the 15th century, stands between 6 and 8 metres high, has an almost oval plan and rectangular towers, and in the 18th century a second, wider enclosure was added to the south. When the dangers faded, villagers built barns and small rooms against the wall. The tower of the old entrance collapsed in 1925. Between 2010 and 2014 an EU-funded project restored the whole complex.
Criț is also known for an old school tradition: more than four centuries ago the first rural school law in Transylvania was issued here.
What you can see
The climb to the church follows a path paved with round river stones, and from the top you see the hills around. Inside, the hall has two bays and a Bohemian vault, and the altar merges with the organ gallery, the pulpit and the font, made with the church or in 1822. The organ, built in 1813 by Johann Thois, has 1,450 pipes and was restored in 2013. Older furnishings survive: painted pews from 1793 and chests inscribed 1666 and 1724. Within the walls you see the well and the towers, and outside the wall to the south the ruins of the old Saxon school.
Good to know
The church is usually locked; the phone number of the keyholder is posted at the entrance. There are no fixed visiting hours. The village has several restored Saxon houses, some now guesthouses, and is a good starting point for walks to the fortified churches around.
- The 1813 organ, with 1,450 pipes, restored in 2013 and framed by the 1822 altar.
- The oval 15th-century wall, 6–8 metres high, with its rectangular towers.
- The climb along a path paved with round river stones, with views over the surrounding hills.
- The painted pews of 1793 in the church hall.
- The ruins of the old Saxon school beside the wall, in the village where Transylvania's first rural school law was issued.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Criț lies on the DN13 (E60) between Brașov and Sighișoara, at a junction with the road to Meșendorf; Rupea is about 20 km away, Sighișoara about 30 km and Brașov about 85 km. The church is in the north-west of the village, on the hill.
Public transport: we found no direct service to the village; check train and bus timetables along the Brașov–Sighișoara axis (Rupea is the nearest larger town).
- Rules
The church is a working place of worship: dress modestly, keep quiet, and do not walk around the interior during services or events. Photography without flash is usually accepted. Do not climb on walls or ruins.
- Facilities
guesthouses in the village · no facilities within the walls
Frequently asked questions about Criț Fortified Church
- How long does a visit to Criț Fortified Church take?
- A visit to Criț Fortified Church takes about 30 min (estimate, no fixed hours).
- Can you visit Criț Fortified Church with kids?
- Yes, Criț Fortified Church is suitable for children (climb on round stones).
- How do I get to Criț Fortified Church?
- Criț Fortified Church is located at Criț village, on the hill in the north-west of the village, Criț, Brașov County. By car: Criț lies on the DN13 (E60) between Brașov and Sighișoara, at a junction with the road to Meșendorf; Rupea is about 20 km away, Sighișoara about 30 km and Brașov about 85 km. The church is in the north-west of the village, on the hill. Public transport: we found no direct service to the village; check train and bus timetables along the Brașov–Sighișoara axis (Rupea is the nearest larger town).
- When is the best time to visit Criț Fortified Church?
- The best season for Criț Fortified Church: April – October (easier to visit in summer).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Criț Fortified Church, sorted by distance.
5 km from Criț Fortified Church
Top 10012 km from Criț Fortified Church
Top 10012 km from Criț Fortified Church