Apold - Fortified Church

Located 16 km from Sighișoara, in the center of Apold village (Trappold, German; Apold, Hungarian), stands the fortified Evangelical church, one of the largest ensembles of its kind in the Târnava region.

The church was built by Transylvanian Saxons starting in the 13th century and was transformed over a period of nearly 700 years. From the original Romanesque basilica, the sanctuary and triumphal arch have been preserved. The earliest mention dates back to 1309, with the parish priest Nicolaus.

In the 15th century the church was rebuilt in late Gothic style, and a massive bell tower was added to the west. The cross-vaulted nave measures 13 m in length and 11.5 m in width, while the sanctuary is 11 m long and 7.5 m wide. Four columns give the impression of a three-aisled church. The sanctuary features Gothic windows, a sacrament niche decorated around 1500, and a small sacristy.

Between 1504–1507 fortifications were added. The church was surrounded by two concentric defensive walls with towers and bastions. The bell tower was heightened and equipped with a parapet walk, while defensive levels were built above the sanctuary and the nave. The outer wall, 3–4 m high with loopholes, is still largely preserved. Key structures include:
- The White Tower (southeast), used as living quarters in times of conflict;
- The Gate or Granary Tower (southwest), with a portcullis system and gatekeeper’s room;
- The Upper Granary (north), a fortified 20 m long storage building;
- The Second Granary (north), a two-story, 18 m long structure with storage rooms.

Besides defense, the ensemble also integrated community institutions: the town hall, school, mill, and the parish house (built in 1885).

From the 18th century onward, the buildings were increasingly used for community purposes rather than defense. In the 20th century, waves of emigration led to the disappearance of the Saxon community of Apold, and the ensemble was left without regular maintenance.

Today the church and fortifications are managed by the Casapold Association, which carries out restoration and conservation projects.

Visitor information
Visiting hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00–17:00; closed on Sunday and Monday.
Guided tours: available in German, English and Romanian.
Contact:
Tel.: +40 722 208 495
E-mail: casapold@gmail.com
Web: www.casapold.org