The church

As it happened with many other churches, the basilica of Copşa Mare underwent several additions and alterations throughout the years, mainly brought about by the economic and political changes in Transylvania. One example of such an economic change is the 15th century award to the settlement for the right to hold weekly fairs and a special one on St. Bartholomew's day.

 Because of this, the people of Grosskopisch (as its German name was called) wanted to have a church as beautiful as the one in the neighbouring town of Biertan, which enjoyed similar economic privileges. Certain details and construction techniques seem to indicate that some of the men who worked on the Biertan building site, also worked at Copşa Mare. Further support for this hypothesis, is that the year indicated for the completion of the works on the choir is 1519, only four years after the works at Biertan had finished.

The fortification

The defensive mantle wall was erected at the beginning of the 16th century. On its north corner, there is an almost square-planned tower, equipped with machicolations similar to the ones at Biertan. An almost identical tower stands on the south-western corner of the precinct. The storage rooms built along the wall were later dismantled.

You can find more information about this church and many others on this CD dedicated to the fortified churches in Transylvania.