One of the most solid peasant citadels in Transylvania is situated in the locality of Biertan, Sibiu County, attested in documents to 1283. The fortified ensemble, featuring 3 precincts strengthened by 6 towers and 3 defense bastions, dominates the settlement, being situated on a hill some 25 m above. Built between 1490 ad 1522, the citadel underwent several alterations in the 17th century. The first precinct featured a nearly 12-m high wall, 7 towers (4 of them were destroyed in 1704 in the siege laid by anti-Hapsburg fighters) and bastions, some of them, like the western one making the connection with the second precincts (not concentric).
The church door, put up in 1515 as an ingenious fastening system with 13 locks operated simultaneously by a single key. Inside the church there is a splendid polyptych altar (made up of 28 panels) with polychrome sculptures in wood (1515-1524), undoubtedly the most valuable similar piece in Romania. The pews are original, decorated with inlaid patters achieved by Johannes Reychmuth. The stone pulpit, attributed to master Ulrich of Brasov is adorned by reliefs inspired from the Passions of the Savior. The lapidary of the church is also famed for its tombstones, some carved by the Transylvanian sculptor Elias Nicolai (the 17th century).
