Conservation, rehabilitation and promotion of the Evangelical Church of Câlnic (Alba county) Part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Short history of the Câlnic Evangelical Church
The evangelical church, which the locals refer to as ‘the church on the hill’, is thought to have been built in the 13th century, but the current structure dates back to the 15th century and was heavily altered in the 19th century, thus giving it a neo-Gothic appearance. Inside, two tabernacles and the Gothic door of the sacristy still survive. In the chancel, some sculptural elements from the original building remain: two tabernacles and the sacristy portal, as well as columns that once supported an arch. Here, one can also find two painted Baroque pews from the second half of the 18th century. The west gallery of the church houses an organ originally from 1867, built by Carl Hesse of Vienna, one of 130 organs built by the Viennese organ builder.
Conservation and restoration efforts
The project “Conservation, rehabilitation, and promotion of the Evangelical Church in Câlnic (Alba County), part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites”, funded through the Regional Operational Program 2014-2020, is nearing completion. Implemented between March 2018 and December 2023 by the Evangelical Parish A.C. Câlnic, it has a value of over 3.86 million lei (this sum representing the total value of the project according to the contract) of which 3.7 million lei represent non-refundable financing.
This investment aims to increase tourism in the area by developing the UNESCO world heritage site, namely the Evangelical Church within the Citadel Quarter (Burgviertel) of Câlnic.
The specific objectives of the project involve, on one hand, rehabilitation works of the Citadel Quarter, and on the other hand, digitization of the heritage site. In addition to this, the project aims to develop and implement a marketing plan with socio-cultural activities aimed at establishing the site as a tourist attraction center which will lead to a minimum annual increase of 50% in the number of visitors.
Essentially, the UNESCO monument, namely the Evangelical Church within the Citadel Quarter (Burgviertel) of Câlnic, is being rehabilitated in order to eliminate the heightened risk of collapse. At the same time, the monument is being set up and properly equipped to ensure its own protection as well as safe access for all types of visitors. Currently, the project has surpassed the 75 percent implementation threshold, with completion expected by the end of the year, along with the Final Commissioning Report and the creation of promotional materials in order to increase the monument’s visibility and transform it into a tourist attraction.
Cultural and Artistic Events Schedule
JANUARY – DECEMBER 2024
Transylvanian Fortified Churches Tourist Circuit
A project by the Evangelical Church A.C. in Romania aimed at promoting Transylvania and, implicitly, the Saxon heritage of fortified churches. The “Transylvania Card” tourist circuit includes all UNESCO churches (Câlnic, Valea Viilor, Biertan, Viscri, Saschiz, Prejmer, Dârjiu), medieval churches from the seven Saxon towns (Sibiu, Mediaș, Bistrița, Brașov, Orăștie, Sebeș, Sighișoara), as well as other places of interest for tourists, such as Cisnădioara, Cârța, Hărman, Cincșor, or Mălâncrav.
Organizers: Evangelical Parish A.C. Câlnic; Superior Consistory of the Evangelical Church A.C. in Romania.
APRIL – JUNE 2024
Guided Visits for school children (School Break)
County school children, as well as those from across the country, will discover fascinating stories about their ancestors and heritage in the magical setting provided by the Evangelical Church in Câlnic, part of the UNESCO world heritage sites.
Organizers: Evangelical Parish A.C. Câlnic.
MAY 2024
Charity Bazaar
Pupils from Câlnic Elementary School will create and then sell their products at a bazaar, with funds raised going towards an annual cause.
Organizers: Evangelical Parish A.C. Câlnic; Câlnic Elementary School.
JUNE 2024
Bike trails cultural tour
A circuit which combines cycling and visiting historical towns, aimed at promoting the network of cycling routes connecting Saxon villages. Arrival at the Evangelical Church in Câlnic (Alba County), a part of the UNESCO world heritage sites.
Organizers: Evangelical Parish A.C. Câlnic; Nature Tour Association.
AUGUST 2024
Photography Exhibition
Having returned to their native lands, Saxons can find pictures in the Câlnic Evangelical Church which capture pieces of the German settler’s history, taken from Evangelical Churches throughout Transylvania.
Organizers: Evangelical Parish A.C. Câlnic.
SEPTEMBER 2024
Open Doors Day
The Evangelical Church in Câlnic opens its doors free of charge to all locals and tourists interested in this spectacular monument.
Organizers: Evangelical Parish A.C. Câlnic.
OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2024
Guided Visits for school children (Green Week)
Pupils from the county, as well as from across the country, will discover fascinating stories about their ancestors and ancient struggles and traditions, all in the magical setting provided by the Evangelical Church in Câlnic.
Organizers: Evangelical Parish A.C. Câlnic.
DECEMBER 2024
Christmas Carols Concert
Groups of children and adults will hold a concert featuring well-known carols, as well as instrumental pieces and newer compositions.
Organizers: Evangelical Parish A.C. Câlnic.
Fortified Churches of Transylvania Tourist Circuit
Representatives of the Evangelical Church in Romania estimate that nearly 1,000,000 tourists will visit 53 of the most important fortified churches in Transylvania annually, including the one in Câlnic. Entry will once again be possible based on a card that provides access to all of these locations.
Since 2017, tourists have had access to the “Transylvania Card” with which they could visit 53 Saxon fortified churches.
Mobile app to discover the fascinating landscape of fortified churches in Transylvania
Discover Fortified Churches, the Fortified Churches Foundation’s official app, is an interactive tool made to explore and experience the rich cultural heritage of fortified churches in Transylvania.
The development of the “Discover Fortified Churches” application is a natural response to the increasing interest in heritage tourism, with Transylvania becoming a more popular travel destination for foreign and Romanian tourists alike in recent years. In addition to information about churches, the application also includes recommendations for nearby accommodation or restaurants. Furthermore, the app boasts a feature called “Near Me”, which allows users to locate on the map the main points of interest that can be found around a specific fortified church.
The app is free and available to download on Android and iOS and it is available in three different languages: Romanian, English, and German. The app’s launch took place at the Ecotourism Fair, an event organized within the “Anii Drumeției” project by Sibiu County in collaboration with the County Tourism Association (AJTS).
