Richiș Fortified Church
About Richiș Fortified Church
Richiș (Reichesdorf in German) was a wealthy Saxon village, and its church shows it: a three-aisled Gothic basilica begun in the second half of the 14th century, with its most important building phase completed around 1451. Documents from 1283 and 1289, however, mention an older church in the village. The nave and choir are taller than the side aisles, and the roof carries only a small timber turret; the belfry stands apart, in the gate tower of the enclosure.
By the first quarter of the 16th century the church was surrounded by defensive walls, of which only part survives. Around 1540 the village converted to the Lutheran faith, and the walls were whitewashed year after year; only in 1957 did a priest have the villagers scrape off the thick layer, and beneath it appeared the carvings you see today. The church is a Class A historic monument, administered by the Green Man Foundation.
What you can see
The great draw is the carved decoration inside: the Green Man, a face wreathed in leaves, appears in several poses, alongside animal heads, contorted figures that seem to hold up the vaults, and grotesque faces. The last Saxon of the village, Johann Schaas, called them "little devils". The foundation also links some of them to the Celtic god Cernunnos or to Janus. On the choir vaults, the keystones carry the face of Christ and a pelican, a symbol of Christ's sacrifice and the same pelican that appears on the village coat of arms.
Also worth seeing are the Baroque altarpiece of 1775, with the Crucifixion, the carved wooden sacristy door with its complex locking mechanism, and the pulpit. In the four-storey gate tower, with traces of a portcullis and of loopholes, hang old bells, one dating from 1708, and a clock of 1910 that was repaired in April 2023. Beside the portal lies the gravestone of the composer Georg Meyndt (1852–1903), who wrote songs in the Saxon dialect.
Good to know
A restoration project funded by the EU, worth over 11 million lei, is being prepared for the church, with the contract signed in July 2024 and an estimated end date in 2028. There is no announcement that the church will close during the works, but phone ahead to make sure it is open.
Information verified on 10 October 2026.
- The Green Man and the other faces carved in stone inside the church.
- The choir keystones, with the face of Christ and the pelican.
- The Baroque altarpiece of 1775, with the scene of the Crucifixion.
- The four-storey gate tower, with old bells and a clock of 1910.
- The carved wooden sacristy door, with its complex locking mechanism.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from the DN14 between Mediaș and Sighișoara, turn off at Șaroș pe Târnave towards Biertan and drive on for another ~6 km along the road to Richiș. Biertan is ~6 km away (~10 minutes), Mediaș ~25 km (~35 minutes), Sighișoara ~35 km (~45 minutes), Sibiu ~75 km (~1 hour 20 minutes) and Brașov ~135 km (~2 hours 40 minutes). From Sibiu there is also a shorter road via Bârghiș, but parts of it are unsurfaced.
Public transport: no regular public transport to Richiș is known. The nearest railway station is in Dumbrăveni, from where you continue by taxi.
- Where to park
Sibiu County's tourism website lists a car and coach park at the church. There is no information about a fee.
- Fees & discounts
The Green Man Foundation does not publish entrance charges on its website; they are paid at the entrance. Ask by phone before you set out.
- Rules
The church is a working place of worship: dress decently, keep your voice down and ask before taking photographs with flash or a tripod.
- Facilities
tourist information point · souvenir shop · toilets · car and coach park · viewpoint
Frequently asked questions about Richiș Fortified Church
What are the opening hours of Richiș Fortified Church?
Opening hours at Richiș Fortified Church: daily 10:00 – 18:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Richiș Fortified Church take?
A visit to Richiș Fortified Church takes about 45 min (church, tower and churchyard).
Can you visit Richiș Fortified Church with kids?
Yes, Richiș Fortified Church is suitable for children (hunt for the carved faces).
How do I get to Richiș Fortified Church?
Richiș Fortified Church is located at Strada Principală no. 1, Richiș, Sibiu County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Richiș Fortified Church?
The best season for Richiș Fortified Church: April – October (in winter, phone ahead).
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