Fortified Church Sânpetru

Fortified Church Sânpetru in Sânpetru
Fortified Church Sânpetru in Sânpetru
Fortified Church Sânpetru in Sânpetru
Fortified Church Sânpetru in Sânpetru
Fortified Church Sânpetru in Sânpetru
Fortified Church Sânpetru in Sânpetru

Altar

The classical altar dates from the first half of the 19th century. In the center is a sculpture of Christ flanked by Paul and Peter. The altar ends like a canopy at the top.

Keystones in the altar table

The two keystones set into the altar table have a depiction of Agnus Dei and a relief of St. Peter. The naturalistic depiction of Peter can be attributed to the Gothic period.

Pulpit

An older pulpit, dated 1796, stands on the south wall of the church hall. The brick pulpit is covered by an old canopy.

Organ

Johann Thoiss from Rosenau built an organ with a mechanical system in 1826. It has 2 manuals, pedal and 20 stops. It was repaired and partially rebuilt in 1908-1909 by the Einschenk company (Brasov).

Chapel

Around 1400 a chapel was built in the northeast corner of the fortified church. The rectangular chapel room is covered by a simple cross vault. The ribs have a square cross-section and flattened edges. The walls of the chapel are decorated with frescoes - the coronation of the Blessed Mother, angels with candles and musical instruments, a representation of Christ with disciples, John the Baptist, female figures with a halo, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Archangel Michael with scales and sword; one scene depicts almsgiving; Stoning of Saint Stephen. The scenes are delimited with ribbon decoration. There are stylistic connections to Bohemia, Tyrol and northern Italy.

Ring wall

The church is surrounded by a partially triple ring. The inner ring wall, 8 m high, bears features of 15th century fortifications. The embrasures are served from a covered walkway, which partially rests on the tapering walls and on trestles. From it, the gullies and embrasures are served. The circular wall is reinforced by three towers with a square ground plan. In the south of the complex, a two-story porch with a basement is built. In the eastern room of the first floor there are remains of frescoes. In the 16th century a second, low wall belt with three protruding shell towers is built. In the south, west and north another ring wall is placed in front of the second one. The gate weir was located in the southeast of the fortified church and was equipped with portcullis and drawbridge.

History

1240 King Béla IV gives the Cistercian order the income from four churches in the Brasov region, including Sânpetru. This is the first documented mention of the place.
1300-1350 Construction of a three-aisled basilica in the transitional style from Romanesque to Gothic.
1377 Together with 12 other free communities in the Brasov Region, Sânpetru forms a judicial and administrative unit with Brasov. The residents of these places are said to be obliged to serve the king along with the city.
1421 The king waived the payment of Martin's interest in Sânpetru, since the village had suffered great damage from the Turkish invasion.
1510 In Sânpetru live 96 families, 3 widows, 2 paupers, a miller, a bell-ringer and 7 shepherds; 2 farms are deserted.
1600 Troops of Michael the Brave burn down Sânpetru and other Brasov Region villages.
1611 Gabriel Báthori conquers the castle of Sânpetru and burns the village down.
1658 Tartars and Cossacks try in vain to capture the fortified church, but they set fire to the village.
1705 The village suffers great damage from the kurucs.
1713 The bell tower collapses.
1718-1719 The plague kills 368 inhabitants.
1778 A new tower is being built on the old foundations. The tower collapses again four years later. A commission from Brasov orders the church to be demolished and completely rebuilt. The old church will be demolished and the new west-facing three-nave hall church will be built.

Places in the surroundings