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Local Legends
Solid, Secure, and Welcoming
Let us delve deeper into this place where past and present blend harmoniously, where each street corner reveals captivating stories and legends that bring you closer to the essence of this Transylvanian burg. In the heart of this history-rich location, you’ll uncover numerous traditions carefully preserved over the centuries, reflecting the cultural heritage of the Saxons.
Let’s discover Biertan, a place where history comes alive with every step, and traditions intertwine seamlessly with the fascinating tales of the past. Here are a few elements:
One captivating legend is that of the children from Hameln. In 1284, the German town of Hameln was besieged by rats. Desperate for relief, the townsfolk called on a mysterious musician, the Pied Piper, who lured the rats away with his enchanted flute. But when the townsfolk refused to pay, the Piper took his revenge by leading their children away, never to return. Legend has it that these children arrived in Transylvania, founding Saxon settlements, perhaps including Biertan itself. This tale, popularized by the Brothers Grimm, has woven itself into the heritage of the Transylvanian Saxons, giving a legendary note to their beginnings in these lands.
Yet Biertan is more than legends; it’s also a bastion of traditions. The Vecinătate (or Nachbarschaft) was a system that unified neighbours on a street or a group of homes. Each Vecinătate was led by a "Neighborhood Father" and symbolized by the “neighborhood chest,” holding important documents and funds. Every year, this chest was ceremoniously passed to a new leader, symbolizing continuity and trust within the community.
Biertan also hosts the traditional winter carnival, Fasching, celebrated between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday. Known throughout both Transylvania and Germany, this festive event was a final celebration before Lent, filling the streets of Biertan with masked revelers, dances, and vibrant parades.
Saxon culinary traditions add another layer to Biertan’s story. Hencleș or lichiu, a yeasted dough dessert topped with rich cream and eggs, and Brodelawend, a hearty potato soup with meat, showcase the Saxon community's culinary skills and hospitality.
In the heart of the fortress, at the entrance to the church, there once stood the so called Shame Stone, a symbol of the moral rules that governed community life. This triangular stone was a place where those who broke social norms were subjected to public shame, compelled to stand upon it under the critical gaze of the community gathering for service. This form of moral safeguarding through public shame traces its origins to the early centuries of Christianity, when faith was fervently lived, and consequences for mistakes were equally stringent. The continuation of this practice over a millennium is a testament to the rigor with which the German communities who settled in Biertan upheld their values.
Inside the church you will find an unusual detail: painted clowns on the archways. Rediscovered during restoration work after the 1977 earthquake, these mysterious figures are said to be the work of artisans dissatisfied with their pay.
As these stories unfold, you’ll find Biertan is more than a village; it’s a window into a rich and vibrant past where traditions and legends blend harmoniously.
Text by Diana Stîrlea, documented and written during the 2024 Heritage Lab workshop. Audio guide by Designers, Thinkers, Makers Association and the Municipality of Biertan, part of the Culture & Cultures: Connecting the dots project, co-funded by the National Cultural Fund Administration.
Audio guide produced in 2024 via the Culture&Cultures. Connecting the dots project.
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Proiectul nu reprezintă în mod necesar poziția Administrației Fondului Cultural Național. AFCN nu este responsabilă de conținutul proiectului sau de modul în care rezultatele proiectului pot fi folosite. Acestea sunt în întregime responsabilitatea beneficiarului finanțării.
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