Holiday in a Saxon Country House
Holiday in a Saxon Country House
Holiday in a Saxon Country House
Holiday in a Saxon Country House
Holiday in a Saxon Country House
Holiday in a Saxon Country House
Transylvania or Ardeal in Romanian, Siebenburgern in German and Erdely in Hungarian -
are the many names of the land in the Carpathian arc, as diverse as the culture and language of its inhabitants. The big part from the southeast side of the Carpathians has been for a long time a transitory area and conflict reason for the rival powers and marked the border between East and West.
The German name " Siebenburgern" comes from the 7 fortresses built by the Saxons who were brought here by the Hungarian ruler's desire to secure the border. The seven fortress towns are: Bistrita/Bistritz, Brasov/Kronstadt, Rupea/Reps, Medias/ Mediasch, Sibiu/Hermannstadt and Sighisoara/Schassburg.
Crit belonged in the medieval times along with 9 other Transylvanian/saxon communities to the abbacy of Carta. Carta monastery was a former cistercian abbey from Transylvania, Romania.
The monastery was build in 1202 as sister of the Monastery from Igris. Carta abbey got from the Hungarian ruler a land in the left river bank of the Olt river - the so called " terram exemtam de Blaccis" and many villages from the nearby area. The abbey was very active in the colonisation process of the empty land between Sighisoara and Rupea. The villages Crit, Carta and Mesendorf were built with the help of the abbey. So this is a signe of the direct implication of the monastery in the colonisation process of the land, a typical action of the power to colonise land which was not inhabited.
The colonist who made those activities where from, besides the ones from the german space, Flanders and some of them from nord east of France.
Another gift for the monastery where the villages Feldioara, Prejmer, Harman, and Sinpetru in Tara Barsei in 1204 from King Bela IV. after the German Order was revoked.
Crit is near Rupea city, Brasov county between the two industrial and touristic centers Sighisoara and Brasov.
The Transylvanian Saxons formed the majority in the village. 409 of 729 inhabitants were 1977 Germans.
Extract of the oldest Village School Law from Transylvania * published 1593 in Crit.
This is a very important document in the history.
You can see a page from the oldest Village School Law in Transylvania which was created in 1593 in Crit. This is one of the most valuable documents in the history!
The Village School Law from Crit from 1593 created by priest Laurentio Kusch and adapted in 1698 by priest Johannes Nosner is the oldest Village School Law and was valid till late in the 18th century in Crit, according to Friedrich Teutsch and later on also in the neighbouring community from Cloasterf.
As every German school in Transylvania was evanghelic it's no wonder that the priests intended to teach the children in a christian spirit. It was the decision of priest Dominus Nicolaus to build in 1427 a school in Crit. In 1500 the school director teached and later on in 1532 came another teacher. It's no surprise that 1593 a school law was very needed in order to regulate life at school, in public and at home. The School Law from Crit was found 413 years ago in the history of the Saxons from Transylvania. It is by far the most interesting Village School Law and shows the interest in philology, in foreign, old languages. There is proof that graduates from the school in Crit went directly to university.
This Village School Law was presented to the public in 2006 in Herzogenauerach. This book "Deutschkreuz/Schulrecht from 1593" should be in everyones personal book collection.
We restored the houses very carefully with respect to the history and traditions of the Saxons who built them and lived here in order to preserve their authentic charm and character.
The houses form a country inn as it could function in the Saxon village.
The interiors are decorated in a traditional Saxon style with old restored furnishings, typical for the "Haferland" area (oats country) as it is called.
Old textiles and embroideries, handmade carpets complete the simple, charming and very welcoming atmosphere of old times.
You can find between the houses a carefully restored hayloft which is now the perfect place to socialize and tell stories in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. We have here a collection of antiques used in the household.
There is also a very old oven. You can find in the yard a barn with the oldest grape press from the village which can be admired by the visitors. Long time ago the family members had much work to do with the press and enjoyed later on the grape juice.
The hills around the village where full of vine grapes, you can observe them walking around the hills. The tough inhabitants of the village transformed the area in a very rich and protective one.
In order to assure a comfortable stay during the winter times too, we restored the old tile stove, it's a unique atmosphere when hearing the sound of the burning wood.
La Hansi includes the main farmhouse (six double or triple rooms, each with private bath), and three cottages – the largest has three double rooms and one shared bath, the second offers two double rooms and one shared bath and the smalest one with one triple room, one private bath and a kitchenette.
In a traditional atmosphere the food is prepared with respect to the original Transylvanian recipies or is a reinterpretation of the old ones and is served as "table d'hote" with ingredients from the local producers because they produce of organic products.
The good food comes with a special selection of vines from the own production or from the area.
We organize hiking tours, bike rides and picnic in the middle of the fantastic nature.
Crit is exactly the right place to explore the saxon villages with fortified churches as Viscri, Mesendorf, Roades and Cloasterf.
The fortified church from Viscri is part of the UNESCO world heritage and dates back to 1100, being build by the Saxons from Transylvania during the Hungarian kingdom. The church was fortified in the XV. century, becoming a fortified church with towers, bastions and two protection walls.
After visiting Viscri, one driving hour away you reach Brasov, city with germanic architecture, the Black Church is the main attraction, being the most representative symbol for gothic architecture from Romania. The name comes from the big fire from 1689.
In the opposite direction there is Saschiz, very special for the fortification which was made to match with a church. The fortification dates back to the XV century and was the main shelter for the villagers during conflict times. The Clock Tower in Saschiz was made after the one from Sighisoara.
Sighisoara, medieval city with the historic center part of the UNESCO world heritage is the only inhabited citadel from Europe and on each "to do list" while in Romania. The historic center with the 9 from the 14 towers is very charming, with narrow cobble stoned streets, colored houses and welcoming people. The main attraction of the city is the Clock Tower offering an astonishing view over the entire city. There is also one of the best german high schools from Romania right in the heart of the citadel, near the Church on the Hill.
We can continue by visting the small village of Malancrav, where we find another fortified church with very old paintings. The organic apple juice from here is very popular too.
Leaving behind the small village we reach Sibiu, the place where the most Saxons from Romania settled down. Very characterful places with the most popular museum like Brukenthal, thick walls and towers are only a few things worth visiting here.
Image © Copyright - Cristina Feather
Besides relaxing in our yard with a good book in a very peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, you can enjoy your stay by taking part to activities like:
