Fortified Church Archita

The church-fortress stands in the heart of the village. A Romanesque basilica was built in the second half of the 13th century and four bricked-up roundheaded arcades stand as proof in the northern wall of the nave. Initially, the massive west tower belonged to the basilica, but at the end of 15th century it was encased and fortified. At the end of 14th century, the church was rebuilt in Gothic style. The chancel arch and the vaults in the choir and in the northern chapel are dated to this construction phase. The aisles of the basilica were demolished at beginning of the 16th century and the church and the choir were heightened by a defence floor standing on buttress-supported semicircular arches. Access into the church is gained at present via a Late-Gothic shouldered arch portal on the south side of the hall. After the 1748 fire, the church was rebuilt at the middle of 18th century. The nave got a barrel vault with penetrations and the choir a cross vault. A new church roof was built in 1793. The two relatively well preserved enclosing walls are approximately 7m high and are strengthened by six towers and by timber wall-walks. The polygonal spire, with an observation-and-defence floor at mid-height, turns upwards into an octagonal structure. Having been destroyed by the fire, the interior was redecorated in the second half of the 18th century with valuable, unitary Baroque furniture. The Baroque altar by Master Philippi of Sighişoara was installed in 1752, the Baroque pulpit in 1761 and the organ in 1779. The font dates from 1749.