The Fortress of Harman, "Honey Mountain"

Introduction

Located ten kilometers from the municipality of Brașov in one of the most beautiful areas of the Bârsa Land, the fortress in Harman - *"Mountain of Honey" should be on the itinerary of any tourist in Transylvania*. Built nearly 800 years ago, the fortress is one of the best-preserved monuments of its kind in Transylvania.

History

The history of this fortress dates back to 1240, when it was first documented, although it is very likely that the church was still under construction at that time. What is certain is that in that year, King Bela IV took the church from the Teutonic Knights and handed it over to the Cistercian Order.

Architecture

The architecture of the church features elements from several orders that served here, but the most fabulous aspect is the painting created between 1460 and 1470, which also has a story; it was covered with lime throughout history but was restored after World War I. The painting depicts the theme of the *Last Judgment*.

Fortifications

The fortified enclosure surrounding the church is over 600 years old and consists of three defensive walls.

• The outer wall, standing at 4.5 meters high, was located at the edge of the water moat.
• The inner wall reached over 12 meters in height and was covered by a path where guards watched for enemies.

Today, the water moat is no longer visible, but the fortress remains in good condition and awaits all curious tourists eager to learn about the history of this important landmark in the Bârsa Land.

Visiting Information

Visiting hours are from Tuesday to Saturday between 09:00 AM and 05:00 PM, and it is closed on Mondays. The entrance fee is 2 RON.

Sign up for the one-day tours here and discover Transylvania!