Prejmer Village

The first settlements of the Transylvanian Saxons (a group of Germans) in this area were established in the mid-12th century. They enjoyed certain privileges, which were confirmed in 1224 by King Andrew II. Most of the existing villages were founded around 1330, following the arrival of new settlers encouraged by the Teutonic Knights, and their culture managed to survive and develop into communities of farmers, artisans and merchants.
The settlers were very involved in defending their villages, and from the mid-13th century they received the support of the Hungarian kings who ruled the area and of the church. The central element of these villages was the church, which was almost always located in their center. There are several types of fortifications: a small wall around the church, a column of fortifications around the church or a complete fortress with many fortified walls with the church at its center.
Some of the fortifications have watchtowers, some of which were church steeples adapted for the needs of the fortress. The main building materials were stone and mud bricks, together with a roof covered with red clay.
Near the church was the village’s central square, around which local social life was concentrated. The only buildings located near the fortifications were those that had a communal use, such as the local school or the town hall. The parish house and the houses of the wealthy residents were usually located around the square. The village’s granaries were usually located near its center.