Valea Viilor
an UNESCO world heritage monument from Transylvania
Valea Viilor is the actual Romanian name of the village, meaning "Vineyard Valley". I think this comes from the excellent wine made by villagers.
The Hungarian name, Baromlach, meaning "the cattle" was the first written certified. The German name, Wurmloch, would appear half a century later. Even if it sounds similar with the Hungarian version it has a different meaning: "snake hole" (a roughly translation). Strange! Three languages and three completely different names.
Valea Viilor land was owned by the noble families at least till in 1359 when the land was mentioned as a free commune.
The church was built in the 13th century. It was a small Romanic style church. Along the 15th and 16th centuries it was enlarged (at actual dimension) and rebuilt in Gothic style. At the same time the fortifications were added, an oval precinct with 7-8 meter high mantle walls.
Inside the church there are obvious ruins of the old church in the floor of the vestry. The old font (1526), the chancel (1779) and other decorations from 18th-19th centuries have also been kept inside the church.
Valea Viilor arrival
- by train
The nearest rail station is Copsa Mica. Almost all trains stop here. From here you have 5 km on a county road. You can hitchhike, walk or take the bus.
If you take a train who doesn't stop in Copsa Mica go down in Medias and take the bus. - by bus
There are 3-4 buses a day (except weekends and legal holidays) between Medias and Motis that pass through the village. - by car
- DN 14: Sibiu - Copsa Mica 45 km, then drive another 5 km on a county road.
- DN 14: Medias - Copsa Mica 11 km, then 5 km of county road till to Valea Viilor.
Other Saxon villages: Biertan, Calnic, Darjiu, Prejmer, Saschiz, Viscri.
Read more about fortified churches and Saxon villages of Transylvania.
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