Drăușeni Fortified Church
About Drăușeni Fortified Church
Drăușeni (in German Draas, in Hungarian Homoróddaróc) is mentioned in 1224, in the privilege King Andrew II of Hungary granted to the Saxon settlers, as the easternmost point they reached on the Royal Land. The church in the middle of the village was completed around the middle of the 13th century as a Romanesque basilica with three aisles, a massive west tower, a chancel and an apse, replacing an earlier 12th-century church.
In 1494 the church was turned into a fortified church: the tower, nave and chancel received defensive storeys, the side aisles were pulled down or walled up, and the site was ringed by an enclosure wall 8 metres high, preserved to this day, with defensive towers. From the Romanesque building survive the west portal, the twin windows with blind arcades and the walled-up round windows in the upper part of the nave. Drăușeni is also tied to the legend of the two swords of the Saxon settlers, stuck crosswise into the ground as an oath of loyalty to the king: one went to Orăștie, the other here, where a 16th-century sword was kept in the church until the start of the Second World War and was lost in 1944.
What you can see
The finest detail is the Romanesque west portal, with its many archivolts, small columns and carved capitals, regarded as one of the most important stone works in Transylvania. From outside you see the bell tower with its timber defensive storey, the enclosure wall with its towers and the fortified gate. Inside, Gothic frescoes of the 14th century were uncovered on the nave walls, with scenes from the legend of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
Good to know
The church and enclosure are in an advanced state of decay: the consolidation works of 2009–2012 stopped for lack of funds, and some sections of wall and towers are in danger of collapse. In October 2026 the National Heritage Institute launched the tender for a restoration project worth about 23.7 million lei (excluding VAT) over 36 months, but the start of works depends on the allocation of state funds. The interior is usually visited with the key from the parish; the wall and towers are viewed from below, without entering them.
Information verified on 24 October 2026.
- The Romanesque west portal, with archivolts and carved capitals, one of the finest stone works in Transylvania.
- The bell tower with its timber defensive storey and the 8-metre enclosure wall.
- The Gothic frescoes of the 14th century showing the legend of Saint Catherine, uncovered on the nave walls.
- The legend of the two swords of the Saxon settlers, tied to this village.
- The view of the village and its church across the surrounding fields, with hills behind.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: leave the DN13 (E60) at Rupea, then follow the county road DJ132 through Homorod and Cața to Drăușeni; the church is right in the centre of the village, on Strada Principală. Rupea is about 15 km away, Brașov about 65 km and Sighișoara about 55 km (approximate distances).
Public transport: the nearest railway station is Rupea, on the Brașov–Sighișoara line; from there continue by taxi.
- Rules
The church is a place of worship: dress modestly, keep quiet, and do not walk around the interior during services. Photography without flash is usually accepted. Do not climb on the walls or enter the towers, which are decayed.
- Facilities
no facilities within the walls
Frequently asked questions about Drăușeni Fortified Church
- How long does a visit to Drăușeni Fortified Church take?
- A visit to Drăușeni Fortified Church takes about 30 min (estimate, no fixed hours).
- Can you visit Drăușeni Fortified Church with kids?
- Yes, Drăușeni Fortified Church is suitable for children (decayed wall and towers).
- How do I get to Drăușeni Fortified Church?
- Drăușeni Fortified Church is located at 142 Strada Principală, in the centre of the village, Drăușeni, Brașov County. By car: leave the DN13 (E60) at Rupea, then follow the county road DJ132 through Homorod and Cața to Drăușeni; the church is right in the centre of the village, on Strada Principală. Rupea is about 15 km away, Brașov about 65 km and Sighișoara about 55 km (approximate distances). Public transport: the nearest railway station is Rupea, on the Brașov–Sighișoara line; from there continue by taxi.
- When is the best time to visit Drăușeni Fortified Church?
- The best season for Drăușeni Fortified Church: April – October (easier to visit in summer).
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