Aside from protecting their relative wealth (see Sibiu), the medieval Transylvanian Saxons were also concerned with protecting their religion. They were at first Catholics and later Lutherans, while the Wallachians to the south and the Moldavians to the east were Eastern Orthodox Christians. There were also invasions by Ottoman Turks, though they tended to conquer and reap economic benefits while having some tolerance of various religions so long as Islam was recognized as the highest rung in their millet system.

Throughout Transylvania in the 15th and 16th Century, Saxons constructed fortified churches to defend their villages, wealth, and faith from outsiders. These typically consisted of a church with surrounding walls and enough space within to shelter locals from the nearby area; a hilltop location added to the defensive strength. Perhaps the finest surviving example is at Biertan (German: Birthälm). It features double walls and a long covered stairway leading from the gates up to the yard near the church. The Monkey truly enjoyed his visit to Biertan, where he even got a chance to practice his German. Saxons are a disappearing ethnicity in Romania, but they are by no means confined to history just yet.

The Monkey stopped off for a quick photo by another of the Transylvanian Saxon fortified churches. Here you get a good view of the walls that protect the church, and the watchtower peeking out above the trees. Unfortunately, the Monkey has forgotten the name of this town. It's north of Sibiu along the main road. Can anyone tell the Monkey what town this is? Please e-mail him if you know!

The Monkey climbed up the watchtower of the fortified church at Biertan to have a look. It's quite a view from up there!

The Monkey enjoys the idyllic scenery in Biertan, also known by its German name Birthälm. Biertan is one of the most beautiful of the old Saxon villages in Transylvania.

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