Sneakers 31 : Schwarze kirche
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 0.28 mi
- Elevation gain
- 3 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 3 ft
- Max elevation
- 1,971 ft
- TrailRank
- 44
- Min elevation
- 1,912 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 34 minutes
- Time
- 35 minutes
- Coordinates
- 69
- Uploaded
- March 3, 2023
- Recorded
- March 2023
near Măgurele, Brașov (România)
Viewed 36 times, downloaded 0 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
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If you are wondering where to start to "get to know" Brasov, my suggestion is to start from the Black Church, the soul and symbol of the city.
The Black Church (Biserica Neagra in Romanian) is one of the symbols of Brasov and all of Transylvania. Famous throughout the country, every year it welcomes many visitors. In the opinion of the ticket seller, it would be the most photographed building in all of Romania. With these premises, therefore, it is a truly unmissable attraction!
At the end of the article, you will find practical information for organizing a visit to the church, with opening hours, ticket prices and visiting times.
The Black Church of Brasov: a bit of history
The construction of the Black Church of Brasov began towards the 1380s. Initially it was a basilica dedicated to Catholic worship. This explains why, in the following years, the funds for the completion of the works came directly from Rome. In short, the controversial practice of selling indulgences must have yielded a lot.
The works were completed only in the mid-1400s. I imagine that later, in the face of all the money sent, the successive popes must have felt cheated. About a century later, in fact, the church became the house of evangelical worship.
April 21, 1689 was a date that would forever mark the history of this church. On this day, in the midst of the Habsburg invasion, a fire of enormous proportions broke out - or, perhaps, was started -. Later the internal part was restored, however the facade and the entire external structure were indelibly marked. Fire branded the walls, leaving them blackened and scorched by the heat of the flames. From this moment on, the church assumed the name of the Black Church.
black church Brasov
The interiors: poised between East and West
Now begins the difficult part to tell. Yes, because, once inside, it's forbidden to shoot videos and take photographs, that's why I can't show you any photos of the interior. A woman not far from me tried to take some shots and was severely scolded. I will then try to describe what the church is like inside and what you can admire. Ready? Give me your hand and close your eyes.
Forget everything gothic you could see in the cover photo of this post. Get ready to immerse yourself in the purest Baroque. A baroque made of sinuosity, softness of shapes, opulence and colours.
The immense naves erase the sense of space and proportions. The eye is immediately captured by the pulpit, perhaps the most important place during the celebration of mass. The pulpit of the Black Church of Brasov is a gift dating back to 1695. It is a small masterpiece made with the most natural materials par excellence, wood and stone, embellished with bright colors. A mysterious figure, in the center of the painting, is identified as Moses. On him are, in stone, the symbols of the four evangelists: the lion, the eagle, the angel and the bull.
The baptismal font
The baptismal font is made of bronze, dates back to the late mid-1400s and is probably the simplest element of the entire Black Church, despite its position of primary importance. It is jealously guarded, like the most important of secrets, by an iron grate decorated with floral motifs. I don't know why but, observing it, the Italian Liberty comes to mind. How many little heads of baptized children will you have seen this object, only apparently so simple, pass through history?
The wall painting of the Virgin Mary
Inside the Black Church are many treasures, hidden in the far corners of the structure. This wall painting is found in a secondary position, in the highest part of a small lateral chapel, not far from the main altar. It represents the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne. Two little angels surround the Virgin to honor and perhaps comfort her. In fact, alongside the Virgin appears Santa Caterina d'Alessandria on one side and, on the other, Santa Barbara. It is she who hands the Virgin a rose branch, the symbol of the future sufferings of Jesus. Probably, before the fire, the Black Church was characterized by many wall paintings similar to this one.
The organ
To admire the organ you have to turn your head towards the highest part of the entrance. Difficult to describe it without being reductive. Think of the shape of a large Greek temple, then add towers with tall and angular shapes. Finally mix white with a masterpiece of gold and cobalt blue decorative details. Can you imagine the result?
Oriental carpets, the most precious treasure of the Black Church of Brasov
black church Brasov
As I said before, photographs cannot be taken inside the church. However, I couldn't help but add a similar image to the incredible collection of oriental carpets that can be admired inside the church.
Thanks to the extensive commercial network of the time, the carpets arrived in Brasov directly from the heart of the Ottoman Empire. The collection present in the church comes entirely from Anatolia and includes a production that starts from the mid-fifteenth century. The carpets today are exposed without any barrier, protected from the dim light and humidity of the church. Despite the time, they have kept their extraordinary colors and it is still possible to observe the refinement of the weaves and the high quality of the fabrics. The most recurring decorations are birds and scorpions. In the past these carpets were used in the Black Church during important ceremonies.
Afterlife and funerary art: the tombs
The decorative plus of the Black Church of Brasov are definitely the tombs. In ancient times, priests were buried near the Black Church. The most loved and deserving ones found a place within the walls. At some point, however, things changed. In the 19th century, it was decided to discontinue funeral ceremonies inside the church. Almost all the tombs were removed and only the most beautiful, or the most important ones were left. Some tombs are decorated with simple inscriptions, while the richest ones are true masterpieces. The relief portraits of the deceased are so detailed as to be even disturbing.
The Black Church of Brasov: opening hours, ticket price, visit times
To conclude this "virtual tour", if we want to call it that, here is all the information you need to visit the Black Church of Brasov.
Opening time. In summer the Church is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 19.00. Sundays and Mondays it opens at 12.00. In winter, however, there are the following times: from Tuesday to Saturday open from 10.00 to 16.00, Sunday from 12.00 to 16.00. Attention, in winter, the Black Church is closed on Mondays.
In certain periods of the year it is also possible to purchase tickets to attend concerts and listen to the organ. You can ask for detailed information at the ticket office before entering the Church.
The ticket price for visiting the Black Basilica is 10 lei per person, about 2.00 euros.
My advice is to take at least an hour and a half -even two- to discover all the details contained within. Entering for a quick look would be an understatement, the Black Church deserves to be visited slowly to discover all its beauty.
I really hope I have intrigued you to visit the Black Basilica of Brasov during a trip to Transylvania. If so, it means that I succeeded in my intent. Not only to inform the reader, but also, and above all, to inspire you, excite you, using the power of words without photographs.
In the meantime, I leave you this link. By clicking on it, you will find lots of practical information about Brasov: Organizing a trip to Brasov: useful tips for visiting the city
Source: https://michelamilani.it/chiesa-nera-brasov/
The Black Church (Biserica Neagra in Romanian) is one of the symbols of Brasov and all of Transylvania. Famous throughout the country, every year it welcomes many visitors. In the opinion of the ticket seller, it would be the most photographed building in all of Romania. With these premises, therefore, it is a truly unmissable attraction!
At the end of the article, you will find practical information for organizing a visit to the church, with opening hours, ticket prices and visiting times.
The Black Church of Brasov: a bit of history
The construction of the Black Church of Brasov began towards the 1380s. Initially it was a basilica dedicated to Catholic worship. This explains why, in the following years, the funds for the completion of the works came directly from Rome. In short, the controversial practice of selling indulgences must have yielded a lot.
The works were completed only in the mid-1400s. I imagine that later, in the face of all the money sent, the successive popes must have felt cheated. About a century later, in fact, the church became the house of evangelical worship.
April 21, 1689 was a date that would forever mark the history of this church. On this day, in the midst of the Habsburg invasion, a fire of enormous proportions broke out - or, perhaps, was started -. Later the internal part was restored, however the facade and the entire external structure were indelibly marked. Fire branded the walls, leaving them blackened and scorched by the heat of the flames. From this moment on, the church assumed the name of the Black Church.
black church Brasov
The interiors: poised between East and West
Now begins the difficult part to tell. Yes, because, once inside, it's forbidden to shoot videos and take photographs, that's why I can't show you any photos of the interior. A woman not far from me tried to take some shots and was severely scolded. I will then try to describe what the church is like inside and what you can admire. Ready? Give me your hand and close your eyes.
Forget everything gothic you could see in the cover photo of this post. Get ready to immerse yourself in the purest Baroque. A baroque made of sinuosity, softness of shapes, opulence and colours.
The immense naves erase the sense of space and proportions. The eye is immediately captured by the pulpit, perhaps the most important place during the celebration of mass. The pulpit of the Black Church of Brasov is a gift dating back to 1695. It is a small masterpiece made with the most natural materials par excellence, wood and stone, embellished with bright colors. A mysterious figure, in the center of the painting, is identified as Moses. On him are, in stone, the symbols of the four evangelists: the lion, the eagle, the angel and the bull.
The baptismal font
The baptismal font is made of bronze, dates back to the late mid-1400s and is probably the simplest element of the entire Black Church, despite its position of primary importance. It is jealously guarded, like the most important of secrets, by an iron grate decorated with floral motifs. I don't know why but, observing it, the Italian Liberty comes to mind. How many little heads of baptized children will you have seen this object, only apparently so simple, pass through history?
The wall painting of the Virgin Mary
Inside the Black Church are many treasures, hidden in the far corners of the structure. This wall painting is found in a secondary position, in the highest part of a small lateral chapel, not far from the main altar. It represents the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne. Two little angels surround the Virgin to honor and perhaps comfort her. In fact, alongside the Virgin appears Santa Caterina d'Alessandria on one side and, on the other, Santa Barbara. It is she who hands the Virgin a rose branch, the symbol of the future sufferings of Jesus. Probably, before the fire, the Black Church was characterized by many wall paintings similar to this one.
The organ
To admire the organ you have to turn your head towards the highest part of the entrance. Difficult to describe it without being reductive. Think of the shape of a large Greek temple, then add towers with tall and angular shapes. Finally mix white with a masterpiece of gold and cobalt blue decorative details. Can you imagine the result?
Oriental carpets, the most precious treasure of the Black Church of Brasov
black church Brasov
As I said before, photographs cannot be taken inside the church. However, I couldn't help but add a similar image to the incredible collection of oriental carpets that can be admired inside the church.
Thanks to the extensive commercial network of the time, the carpets arrived in Brasov directly from the heart of the Ottoman Empire. The collection present in the church comes entirely from Anatolia and includes a production that starts from the mid-fifteenth century. The carpets today are exposed without any barrier, protected from the dim light and humidity of the church. Despite the time, they have kept their extraordinary colors and it is still possible to observe the refinement of the weaves and the high quality of the fabrics. The most recurring decorations are birds and scorpions. In the past these carpets were used in the Black Church during important ceremonies.
Afterlife and funerary art: the tombs
The decorative plus of the Black Church of Brasov are definitely the tombs. In ancient times, priests were buried near the Black Church. The most loved and deserving ones found a place within the walls. At some point, however, things changed. In the 19th century, it was decided to discontinue funeral ceremonies inside the church. Almost all the tombs were removed and only the most beautiful, or the most important ones were left. Some tombs are decorated with simple inscriptions, while the richest ones are true masterpieces. The relief portraits of the deceased are so detailed as to be even disturbing.
The Black Church of Brasov: opening hours, ticket price, visit times
To conclude this "virtual tour", if we want to call it that, here is all the information you need to visit the Black Church of Brasov.
Opening time. In summer the Church is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 19.00. Sundays and Mondays it opens at 12.00. In winter, however, there are the following times: from Tuesday to Saturday open from 10.00 to 16.00, Sunday from 12.00 to 16.00. Attention, in winter, the Black Church is closed on Mondays.
In certain periods of the year it is also possible to purchase tickets to attend concerts and listen to the organ. You can ask for detailed information at the ticket office before entering the Church.
The ticket price for visiting the Black Basilica is 10 lei per person, about 2.00 euros.
My advice is to take at least an hour and a half -even two- to discover all the details contained within. Entering for a quick look would be an understatement, the Black Church deserves to be visited slowly to discover all its beauty.
I really hope I have intrigued you to visit the Black Basilica of Brasov during a trip to Transylvania. If so, it means that I succeeded in my intent. Not only to inform the reader, but also, and above all, to inspire you, excite you, using the power of words without photographs.
In the meantime, I leave you this link. By clicking on it, you will find lots of practical information about Brasov: Organizing a trip to Brasov: useful tips for visiting the city
Source: https://michelamilani.it/chiesa-nera-brasov/
Waypoints
Waypoint
1,948 ft
Religious site
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