The Fortified Church of Moșna Sibiu county – Lo❤️e Romania!
The Fortified Church of Moșna
The original structure of this church dates back to the 13th century. Two centuries later, due to the Ottoman invasions, it was transformed into a fortified church. The Gothic style and the remarkable stone carvings were masterfully executed by the sculptor Andreas Lapicida.
This historical gem, built from massive stone blocks, preserves unique architectural elements. Inside the church, four inclined columns supporting the ceiling stand out as an extraordinary example of medieval innovation. Instead of using massive vertical pillars, Gothic craftsmen designed these inclined supports to counterbalance the weight of the vaults and the lateral forces they generated. The result is a striking visual effect: the columns seem to open outward, giving the interior a greater sense of space, elegance, and dynamism.
According to local legend, when the Saxon settlers arrived in the village, they released a sparrow to choose the location of the future church. They built the new structure exactly where the bird landed. The settlement that developed around the church later took the name Moșna, also known as Mäschn (meaning “sparrow” in German).
Sibiu county – Lo❤️e Romania!
Biserica Fortificată Evanghelică Moșna
@text & photo by Lucian P, 19.July.2026