The Fortified Evangelical Church of Senereuș
Full description
In Senereuș there is a fortified evangelical church from the 15th century, of which the gate tower and fragments of the wall are still preserved. The first church of the village was a simple one from the 15th century, but it was demolished in 1870. In 1873 a much larger church was built in a neo-Gothic style, two pews from the former church dating from 1540 and 1582 remain. A Latin inscription mentions the founders and the year of origin (1540). The church was surrounded by defensive walls and watchtowers. The only entrance was under the church tower with an ornamented vault. The 100 steps leading to the church were built next to the former school to facilitate access from the village to the church hill. Of particular interest is the inscription on the south and north towers, dated 1553 (Fabini).
When the new church was built, because it was longer than the old one, the fortress wall was pierced to the east, so here the new sanctuary extends outside the church. At the interior of the church the old octagonal stone baptismal font from 1540 has been preserved. The new baptismal font in the chancel is part of the neo-Gothic furnishings, as are the pulpit, the pulpit cover and the choir pillars, and is now in the museum in Schloss Horneck, Germany. In the center of the neo-Gothic altar from 1884 is a painting by Carl Dörschlag from Sibiu, depicting Jesus with a chalice. In 1881 Wilhelm Hörbiger acquired an organ with 18 registers. The old organ was given to the village of Idiciu. Many of the new organ pipes were stolen during the Second World War. In 1992 both organs were sold together to the Roman-Catholic Church of St. Michael in Cluj-Napoca.
With the religious reformation of the 16th century, the local Catholic population became Lutheran, together with the village church.
When the new church was built, because it was longer than the old one, the fortress wall was pierced to the east, so here the new sanctuary extends outside the church. At the interior of the church the old octagonal stone baptismal font from 1540 has been preserved. The new baptismal font in the chancel is part of the neo-Gothic furnishings, as are the pulpit, the pulpit cover and the choir pillars, and is now in the museum in Schloss Horneck, Germany. In the center of the neo-Gothic altar from 1884 is a painting by Carl Dörschlag from Sibiu, depicting Jesus with a chalice. In 1881 Wilhelm Hörbiger acquired an organ with 18 registers. The old organ was given to the village of Idiciu. Many of the new organ pipes were stolen during the Second World War. In 1992 both organs were sold together to the Roman-Catholic Church of St. Michael in Cluj-Napoca.
With the religious reformation of the 16th century, the local Catholic population became Lutheran, together with the village church.
The church is not included in the tourist circuit, but the key is held by the Cadar family from the village, who are happy to show the cultural heritage of the local Saxons to anyone who passes through their doorstep.
