Fortified Reformed Church

Lying along the main road in Zăbala, the Fortified Reformed Church is easy to find. And it is worth visiting it. 

The church is a characteristic relic of the 15th century Transylvanian late Gothic architectural style. 

It is assumed that the building originates from the Árpád Age, and after the earthquake of 1473 it was rebuilt. This was the time when the sanctuary was extended, the walls of the nave were stilted and on the southern wall lancet windows were put.

The first painted ceiling of the sanctuary was made in 1759, that of the nave in 1772, when the panels of the sanctuary were renovated, too. The illustrations of the nave are bigger, while those of the sanctuary are smaller, though all of them belong to one person and form a unified image. The patterns of the panels do not repeat, they are usually central, diagonal or double, and show flower bouquet patterns. The ornament of the nave ceiling is much more diverse than that of the sanctuary. There is only one panel of the ceiling that has got animal decoration. On this, the so-called “two-headed eagle” appears, under it we see snakes.   

After the earthquake of 1977, in the southeastern part of the sanctuary a Gothic pastophorium occurred, and on the northern wall surface a late Gothic sacristy door appeared, which was carved from sandstone.  

This church had important defense role for centuries. The wall that encloses the church was built probably in the 15th century and until the 18th century it had a moat around it. The wall, which once was about 8 m high, was torn down to this height in 1838.

An appointment is required for the visit.

Plus Code: V5RP+RX Zabola