Topic summary
Biertan
Biertan (German: Birthälm; Transylvanian Saxon dialect: Birthälm/Bierthalmen/Bierthalm; Hungarian: Berethalom) is a commune in Sibiu County, Transylvania, Romania. The commune is composed of three villages: Biertan, Copșa Mare (German: Gross-Kopisch; Hungarian: Nagykapus), and Richiș (German: Reichesdorf; Hungarian: Riomfalva), each of which has a fortified church.
Biertan is one of the most important Saxon villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, having been on the list of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites since 1993. The Biertan fortified church was the seat of the EvangelicalLutheran Bishop in Transylvania between 1572 and 1867.
The route of the Via Transilvanicalong-distance trail passes through all three villages in the commune.