Fortified Church of Copșa Mare
Copșa Mare, județul Sibiu
The village of Groß Kopisch / Copșa Mare / Nagy Kapus is located in southern Transylvania, Sibiu County, in an idyllic side valley of the Kokel River and was first mentioned in a document in 1283. After a long and eventful history, many of the former Protestant inhabitants, the German-speaking Transylvanian Saxons, left the village and today's Romania, so that for a long time no one was in charge of the imposing fortified church.
The fortified church was built in the 14th century as a three-naved Roman basilica without a tower, and was later converted into an early Gothic church with a belfry. In the 16th century, the church was fortified and provided with a defence storey with battlements in the chancel and a high curtain wall of quarried stone (which was later dismantled).
In 2016, I travelled (note: Sabine Reither - the lady in charge of the space) with my husband from Biertan to Copșa Mare / Groß Kopisch. As soon as we crossed the hill, I was impressed by the sight of the imposing fortified church with its elevated position.
On entering the churchyard, I was unpleasantly impressed by the sad and neglected state of the grounds. This impression continued inside the church, and I was overcome with a feeling of wanting to help this church. From that moment, I volunteered for the preservation of this church, it is a cause close to my heart.
The fortified church was built in the 14th century as a three-naved Roman basilica without a tower, and was later converted into an early Gothic church with a belfry. In the 16th century, the church was fortified and provided with a defence storey with battlements in the chancel and a high curtain wall of quarried stone (which was later dismantled).
In 2016, I travelled (note: Sabine Reither - the lady in charge of the space) with my husband from Biertan to Copșa Mare / Groß Kopisch. As soon as we crossed the hill, I was impressed by the sight of the imposing fortified church with its elevated position.
On entering the churchyard, I was unpleasantly impressed by the sad and neglected state of the grounds. This impression continued inside the church, and I was overcome with a feeling of wanting to help this church. From that moment, I volunteered for the preservation of this church, it is a cause close to my heart.
Since then, many measures have been taken by the Pro Groß Kopisch e.V. association for the restoration of the space, an association that I founded with donations only.
The partially collapsed shed was rebuilt and the roof of the defence tower in the north-eastern corner of the complex was renewed. Except for the bell tower, the roofs of the other buildings, the curtain wall roofs and the supporting pylons, including the huge church roof, were relocated and partially renewed. In addition to numerous spot repairs, the staircase to the belfry was also repaired. Visitors can now enjoy the magnificent view of the valley and the village from the viewing platform after a safe ascent, which is not usually possible in such fortified churches. The bell on the platform, dating from 1550, can be admired, as can the restored and working 1901 mechanical clock on the mezzanine.
I am very pleased that the church has become a special place for other people and that the various cultural events contribute to this. The acoustics in the church support the music, which can be heard sitting on the restored benches.
I hope that this special and peaceful atmosphere fills all visitors with as much joy, calm and satisfaction as it does me.
The partially collapsed shed was rebuilt and the roof of the defence tower in the north-eastern corner of the complex was renewed. Except for the bell tower, the roofs of the other buildings, the curtain wall roofs and the supporting pylons, including the huge church roof, were relocated and partially renewed. In addition to numerous spot repairs, the staircase to the belfry was also repaired. Visitors can now enjoy the magnificent view of the valley and the village from the viewing platform after a safe ascent, which is not usually possible in such fortified churches. The bell on the platform, dating from 1550, can be admired, as can the restored and working 1901 mechanical clock on the mezzanine.
I am very pleased that the church has become a special place for other people and that the various cultural events contribute to this. The acoustics in the church support the music, which can be heard sitting on the restored benches.
I hope that this special and peaceful atmosphere fills all visitors with as much joy, calm and satisfaction as it does me.