The Legend of the Wooden Church in Poiana Sibiului

The Church on the Hill in Poiana Sibiului

One of the most beautiful churches in southern Transylvania is undoubtedly the Church on the Hill in *Poiana Sibiului. Built in 1766, this place of worship is entirely made of fir wood, with a stone foundation. The roof is covered with shingles*, and the passage of time has left a strong mark on it, but in an extremely spectacular way. Thus, the aged wood gives you that feeling you get when you meet a friend you haven't seen in a long time or a person you know will protect you for life.

Architectural Features

Constructed in the shape of a ship, the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God hides under its roof cult objects from the time of its construction:

• Wooden and glass icons
• A few religious books from the 17th and 18th centuries, whose value has yet to be estimated.

Legends and History

One of the legends of the church contains a grain of truth. It is said that in 1916, several troops of the Austro-Hungarian armies arrived in *Poiana Sibiului*. Lacking sufficient ammunition and weapons, they melted down the church bells to forge new arms. However, the villagers say that the church bell cursed them, and for this reason, the battles that followed were lost.