The Black Church

The Black Church is one of the biggest gothic churches in Europe, more specifically the biggest on between Vienna and Hagia Sophia (Turkey). Along being one of the biggest gothic churches in Europe, it is also Brasov's most visited tourist spot. 

The building of the church began in 1380, with the main part of the church, the sanctuary and was finished in 1470. After the building of the church was finished people started donating, and the most important donation is the Baptismal Font. Originally it was built as a catholic church in a gothic style, but along the reformation it became a Lutheran church.  

You might be wondering why the Church is called the Black Church. The answer to this question is quite dark. There was a fire, which in 1689 and there are two theories why it might have happened. One of the theories would be that it happened by accident, which is a pretty boring theory. But the other theory which is a bit more interesting in our personal view is that it might have been caused by the Austrians since at the time Brasov belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the people of Brasov have revolted against the ones who were in charge of the city. The revolution was defeated, but those who ruled the city may have been angry, and may have wanted to show the people who is in charge so they could have been the ones who set the fire. But these are only theories and although 300 years have already passed we still do not know until this day what really happened, but either way it happened it was a big tragedy for the city, because not only the church also most of the city was burning.  

After the fire, the city managed to rebuild the roof in approximately 3 years enough so they could hold services inside the church. The community helped a lot in the refurnishing of the Church with donations. 

If you go to the church, you will most probably notice carpets hanging all around the place. These carpets represent a really important piece of history. They are Turkish carpets from 17 and 18 centuries, and even tough trough out the church only 50 are exposed, the whole collection consists of approximately 200 pieces, which makes the Black Church's collection tFurthermore the 19th and 20th centuries represent the centuries in which the church was modernized. This "modernization" includes the introduction of the heating into the church along with the purchasing of the new organ and altar. The organ is the biggest mechanical organ from Romania, but even though it is the main organ of the church it is not the only organ of the church. Besides of the main organ, there can be ground another 4 organs in the church, from which 2 are up in the galleries and 2 in the sanctuary. These 4 organs were brought to the Black Church from other communities' churches, communities which have their churches in terrible conditions. The most important along the 4 organs is a black one, which was brought from Rupea, and it is the most important one along the 4 because it is supposedly the oldest organ from Transylvania.  

So, this would be a little summary of the history of the Black Church. If you want to know more please don't hesitate to contact us we will gladly provide you all the information you need  

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