Braşov’s main landmark, the Black Church is the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul, and still used by German Lutherans today. Built between 1383 and 1480, it was named for its appearance after a fire in 1689. The original statues from the exterior of the apse are now inside.
Worshippers drop coins through the wooden grates in the floor and hope for the best. The church’s 4000-pipe organ, built by Buchholz of Berlin in 1839, is believed to be the only Buchholz preserved in its original form. Since 1891, organ recitals have been held in the church during July and August, at 6pm Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (5 lei).
Note the scrape marks outside the church; some locals swear it’s from soldiers’ sharpened swords from centuries past. Also the original construction was intended to have a far larger bell tower (funds ran out); see how small it is in comparison to the mammoth base.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/romania/transylvania/brasov/sights/religious/black-church
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