Fortresses and fortified Churches - Agnita
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Agnita
AGNITA
A town of the Sibiu county located in a picturesque mountainous area, 447 m high, Agnita is 84 km north-east of Sibiu by railroad and 62 km away by road. Agnita is 41 km away from Sighisoara and Fagaras, and 37 km far from Medias. Its population notes 12,342 inhabitants (according to the 1995' census).
Artifacts like pots or stone and copper axes from the Paleolithic and bronze ages have been found on the town's present territory. Archaeological findings evinced an earthen Dacian fortress, alongside the foundations of a Roman defence tower and of a Roman road placed on the Fortress Hill (Dealul Cetatii), in the proximity of the town. A fountain located in the backyard of the building at 3, Piata Republicii dates back to the Dacian-Roman age. The so-called Roman Fountain is 7 m deep and 1.20 in diameter.
The wealth of archaeological finds on the present town's territory, dated from the 1st-3rd centuries A.D., can be connected to the old gold mining settlements known since Dacia's ruler Decebalus (1st century), and later on inhabited by a Roman colony, i.e. Alburnus Minor.
During the 11th-12th centuries, Agnita was populated with Saxon settlers. The first written document that mentions Agnita dates back to 1280; between 1317-1320, it appears in writing as Vallis Sancte Agnetis, which was known for its glazed pottery. In 1466, king Mathias Corvinus bestowed upon Agnita the right to condemn villains to sword execution ("jus gladii"). Likewise, the town was allowed to keep half of its able-bodied men at home in order to defend it. In the 15th-16th centuries, Agnita's crafts flourished and the town counted some 13 guilds, i.e. tanners, shoemakers, coppers, tailors, potters, blacksmiths etc.
Agnita's present name dates to 1750; since 1950 it became a town. The town's main tourist attraction is the Fortified Church. The Peasant Fortress around the Church is made up of a triple precinct that dates from the 13th century, with several changes underwent until the 18th century. The four defence towers made of stone taken from a nearby river and from a quarry were built within the inner curtain wall. Each one of them has five storeys with small ramparts where fire weapons were placed. In the centre of the Church's northern side stands the Carpenters' Tower provided with a mobile reinforced gate. On its eastern side can be seen the Blacksmiths' Tower while in its south-eastern part stands the Tailors' Tower.
's present name dates to 1750; since 1950 it became a town. The town's main tourist attraction is the . The around the is made up of a triple precinct that dates from the 13th century, with several changes underwent until the 18th century. The four defence towers made of stone taken from a nearby river and from a quarry were built within the inner curtain wall. Each one of them has five storeys with small ramparts where fire weapons were placed. In the centre of the 's northern side stands the ' provided with a mobile reinforced gate. On its eastern side can be seen the ' while in its south-eastern part stands the ' .To the southwest there is the Shoemakers' Tower, with its two storeys of cells where villagers' bacon supplies have been stored to the day. Southward, in-between the Shoemakers' Tower and the Tailors' Tower, wooden sheds where grains would be stored were also preserved.
The Church, with a 44 m high westwardly oriented Bell-Tower, was formerly built in the Romanesque style (1409), on which Gothic elements were grafted later on. Over the centuries, the outer walls and towers of the Fortress, as well as the Church proper were reinforced and heightened, so that it could better resist to invaders' sieges.
Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, a worthy to be visited piece of architecture, dates from 1796-1797. Standing on a headland which overlooks the town, the Church holds valuable murals.
, a worthy to be visited piece of architecture, dates from 1796-1797. Standing on a headland which overlooks the town, the holds valuable murals.The Museum Valea Hartibaciului takes one on an imaginary tour through local history and ethnography.
takes one on an imaginary tour through local history and ethnography.Agnita is interesting for its kilometer-long alignment of compact houses along 1 Decembrie and Avram Iancu streets. They are all sturdy and very much alike, typical of the area one or two storeys high, tile-roofed, with large and tall gates beyond which one can get a glimpse into their owners' courtyards.
is interesting for its kilometer-long alignment of compact houses along 1 Decembrie and Avram Iancu streets. They are all sturdy and very much alike, typical of the area one or two storeys high, tile-roofed, with large and tall gates beyond which one can get a glimpse into their owners' courtyards.
's present name dates to 1750; since 1950 it became a town. The town's main tourist attraction is the . The around the is made up of a triple precinct that dates from the 13th century, with several changes underwent until the 18th century. The four defence towers made of stone taken from a nearby river and from a quarry were built within the inner curtain wall. Each one of them has five storeys with small ramparts where fire weapons were placed. In the centre of the 's northern side stands the ' provided with a mobile reinforced gate. On its eastern side can be seen the ' while in its south-eastern part stands the ' . , a worthy to be visited piece of architecture, dates from 1796-1797. Standing on a headland which overlooks the town, the holds valuable murals. takes one on an imaginary tour through local history and ethnography. is interesting for its kilometer-long alignment of compact houses along 1 Decembrie and Avram Iancu streets. They are all sturdy and very much alike, typical of the area one or two storeys high, tile-roofed, with large and tall gates beyond which one can get a glimpse into their owners' courtyards.