Darjiu

an UNESCO world heritage monument from Transylvania

The particular thing of Darjiu settlement is that here you'll find a community of Szekely people (or Szeklers). The Saxons only influenced their architecture. Szekely people are a Hungarian ethnic group mostly living in the counties of Harghita, Covasna and a part of Mures county.
Darjiu church and its fortifications
They started the construction of the church in 14th century in Romanic style. Then it was transformed in Gothic style. The fortifications (with five bastions and towers) were built during the 16th century. The church tower is the oldest part of them.

The frescoes inside the church are considered the most impressive creations from medieval Transylvania. Paul from Ung painted them in 1411 as he declared in his signature. Those frescoes represent the conversion of Saint Paul and the legend of Saint Ladislaus of Hungary (the Hungarian king who brings Szeklers in Transylvania).

You'll see that villagers keep their grains in the fortress even today. The same with the ham, bacon, lard and smoked pork products, which are kept in the bastions. As concerns the grains, they can take them home every morning but the pork products only once a week.

Darjiu arrival
An old fresco on the wall of the church
  • by train

    The nearest rail stations are
    • Vanatori - but not all trains stop here. Only "Personal" and some "Accelerat"". From here you have about 30 km to Darjiu.
    • Odorheiul Secuiesc - almost all trains stop here but there aren't many. About 22 km.
    • Sighisoara - all trains stop here. It's 43 km far from the village and you can take the bus.
  • by bus
    The church from Darjiu, Transylvania
    You'll have to ask about a direct bus to Darjiu in Sighisoara or Odorheiul Secuiesc. There are regular buses between these two towns but, as I know, they don't pass through Darjiu. They all stop in Vanatori but it isn't sure you'll find a place to sit down. You have to leave the bus in Dejutiu and go walking (maybe hitchhiking) about 8 km.

  • by car

    • E 60 (European road): Sighisoara - Vanatori (12 km)
      DN13A: Vanatori - Dejutiu (23 km)
      Turn right on a county less asphalted road and drive about 8 km
    • DN 13A: Odorheiul Secuiesc - Dejutiu. (14 km)
      Turn left on a county less asphalted road and drive about 8 km
Other Saxon villages: Biertan, Calnic, Prejmer, Saschiz, Valea Viilor, Viscri.
Read more about fortified churches and Saxon villages of Transylvania.
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