St Bartholomew's Church
About St Bartholomew's Church
St Bartholomew's Church stands on the north-western edge of Brașov, in the old Saxon settlement of Bartolomeu, now a district of the city, inside an enclosure with a stone wall. It was built in the 13th century in the Romanesque style with Gothic elements, and a first record is cited from 1223. Invasions and fires meant it was rebuilt several times, above all in the 15th century and in the works of 1634–1663. At almost 55 metres long, it is the second-largest church in the Burzenland after the Black Church.
It was first a Catholic church and became Lutheran in 1543 with the Reformation, at first as a daughter church of the Black Church; it has been an independent parish since 1863. The west tower collapsed in the earthquake of 1822 and was rebuilt in 1842, and the altar was given a Classicist form at that time.
What you can see
The church has a Latin-cross plan, with a nave and two aisles and a transept: thick walls, buttresses and small windows, only those of the choir being tall and narrow. Under the eaves of the choir a frieze of arcading on corbels survives, in the Romanesque tradition. Inside, the space is white, plain and bright, with an altar, a pulpit and painted guild pews from the 17th–18th centuries; one of the pews bears the year 1683. In the chapel off the south aisle, fragments of 14th-century wall painting have survived.
Outside, on the south wall, is a sundial, and it is worth walking round the enclosure: the medieval wall, largely original, with its gate, the cemetery of the Saxon community and the colourful arcades in the yard.
Good to know
The patronal feast is celebrated on the last Sunday before 24 August: the Saxon communities of the Burzenland gather for the festive service, followed by music and German folk dances, a tradition more than 500 years old. This is a working church, and services take priority.
Information verified on 24 October 2026.
- The medieval enclosure wall, largely original, with its gate, around the church and the cemetery.
- The sundial on the south wall of the church.
- The painted guild pews of the 17th–18th centuries, in the white, plain interior.
- The fragments of 14th-century wall painting in the south chapel.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the church is at Strada Lungă 251, in the Bartolomeu district, ~2.5 km north-west of Piața Sfatului (Council Square) and the Black Church (~10 minutes by car). From Bucharest it is ~170 km on the DN1 to Brașov (~3 hours, longer at weekends); from Sibiu ~145 km on the DN1 via Făgăraș (~2 hours 30 minutes).
Public transport: from the centre you reach Strada Lungă by city bus (~15 minutes) or on foot in ~35 minutes. Brașov railway station is ~3 km away, with direct trains from Bucharest, Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca.
- Rules
This is a working church: keep quiet and dress modestly, and services and ceremonies take priority. The cemetery in the enclosure is still in use, so graves are to be respected.
Frequently asked questions about St Bartholomew's Church
- How long does a visit to St Bartholomew's Church take?
- A visit to St Bartholomew's Church takes about 30 min (plus a walk round the enclosure).
- Can you visit St Bartholomew's Church with kids?
- Yes, St Bartholomew's Church is suitable for children (wide yard with open space).
- How do I get to St Bartholomew's Church?
- St Bartholomew's Church is located at Strada Lungă 251, Brașov, Brașov County. By car: the church is at Strada Lungă 251, in the Bartolomeu district, ~2.5 km north-west of Piața Sfatului (Council Square) and the Black Church (~10 minutes by car). From Bucharest it is ~170 km on the DN1 to Brașov (~3 hours, longer at weekends); from Sibiu ~145 km on the DN1 via Făgăraș (~2 hours 30 minutes). Public transport: from the centre you reach Strada Lungă by city bus (~15 minutes) or on foot in ~35 minutes. Brașov railway station is ~3 km away, with direct trains from Bucharest, Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca.
- When is the best time to visit St Bartholomew's Church?
- The best season for St Bartholomew's Church: All year round (patronal feast in late summer).
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