The Black Church, also known as the parochial church of Saint Mary within 'Brasov's Stronghold,' is believed to have been built around 1383 under the direction of priest Thomas Sander. It was constructed on the site of an ancient place of worship. The name 'The Black Church' was given to this structure after a significant fire in 1689. This church stands as the quintessential Gothic monument in this region of Europe, showcasing a cohesive architectural and sculptural design, particularly in the ancient part of the monument known as the church's choir. The choir features statues of saints adorning the arched buttresses, reflecting the Central-European style typical of Parler's stone masons family. Construction of the church began but was interrupted by a Turkish invasion in 1421. It resumed in the mid-15th century, resulting in a hall-like structure with three aisles, lateral stands, and two towers on the west side. Only the southern tower surpasses the building's height. During this phase, five portals of carved stone were added, crafted by stone masons brought from the building yard of Saint Elisabeth Church in Košice, Slovakia. The western portal is considered a reference to late Gothic architecture in Southeastern Europe. Above the southeastern entrance's tympanum, there is a preserved image of Virgin Mary with the Child, flanked by Saint Catherine and Saint Barbara, showcasing the artistic mastery of King Mathias Corvinul's era (1458-1490). The painting is protected by a threshold with a wooden door bearing the inscription '1477,' signifying the completion of construction works. Following the devastating fire in 1689, the interior of the Black Church was reconstructed in the style. This phase saw the addition of arches, the richly adorned lateral stands with arcades featuring sculptures, a painted wooden pulpit, and choirs associated with the artisans' guilds. In the Black Church's present-day courtyard, named after the humanist Johannes Honterus (1498-1549), a central figure in the religious Reform in Transylvania, the medieval graveyard once existed. It was enclosed by several now-vanished constructions, except for the parochial church (first documented in 1379 and expanded in 1776) and remnants of Saint Catherine chapel (1388), likely situated on the site of a premonstratensian monastery documented in 1235. This monastery's name is linked to the initial historical mention of Braşov.

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MAIN ATTRACTIONS: THE BLACK CHURCH - Turism.brasovcity.ro

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Inserted: 17-09-2023 14:09:20