Fortified Church – Csíkkarcfalva
The Church of the Assumption in Csíkkarcfalva is one of the most imposing fortified churches in Csík. Standing on a hill above the village, it is surrounded by an oval defensive wall about eight metres high – the tallest among the fortified churches of Csík.
A covered wall-walk with loopholes runs round the wall, and the gate tower dates from the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. Scholars disagree on the exact dating of the defensive wall, but the ensemble is one of the most complete examples of the fortified churches of Székely villages.
The village church already appears in the papal tithe register of 1332, and the west wall of the nave probably dates from the 13th century. In the 15th century it was rebuilt in Gothic style; the sanctuary survives from this period. In 1796 the western part of the medieval nave was demolished and the church was extended with a Baroque nave.
The fortified church is still the living Roman Catholic parish church of the village and one of the most important monuments of medieval architecture in Csík.
Visiting: to see the interior, it is best to arrange a visit with the parish in advance. More on fortified churches: Faith Set in Stone.
Photo: Ferenc Jánoska (Franci66) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Town:
Csíkkarcfalva (Cârța)