Why is this church black?

Black Church: A Shadow of the Past in a Valley City

The Romanian city of Brasov, nestled amidst the Carpathian Mountains, was once a strategic location for Saxon settlers from Germany. They brought their language, religion, and Gothic architecture with them, settling here since the 14th century.

The Black Church, or Biserica Neagră, is the largest Lutheran church in Transylvania. Originally known as the "Mother's Church" for its light-colored stone facade, the church was darkened by smoke after a major fire in 1689, and has been known as the "Black Church" ever since.

Despite its name, the church's function remains unchanged—it has served as a Lutheran worship center to this day. As we enter through the cobblestone alleys, we are struck by the tranquility that looms over the courtyard. Look up to see the Baroque organ, built by Carl August Buchholz in 1839. With over 4,000 metal pipes, it is the largest organ in Romania.

• Saxons immigrated to Transylvania in the 12th–13th centuries to help protect the borders of the Kingdom of Hungary.
• The Black Church still has over 100 Turkish carpets hanging on its walls, a gift from Brașov merchants in the 17th–18th centuries.
• German is still used in some ceremonies today. Hashtags
#BlackChurch #Brașov #Romania #Church #Transylvania

Post by Mr. Choon | Oct 10, 2025