# Saschiz

- **Country:** Romania
- **Coordinates:** 46.176947, 24.991790
- **Location Text:** Peasants' Fortress (''Hünenburg'')

Saschiz is a historic commune located in Mureș County, within the Transylvania region of central Romania. Situated on the Târnava Plateau at an altitude of 410 meters, it lies on the banks of the Scroafa River near the border with Brașov County. The settlement is strategically positioned approximately 20 kilometers east of the medieval city of Sighișoara and serves as a key point along the national road connecting Brașov to Târgu Mureș. Today, the area is also traversed by the Via Transilvanica long-distance trail, highlighting its continued relevance as a cultural and geographic hub in southern Transylvania.

The site is renowned for its architectural heritage, specifically the Saschiz fortified church, which dates back to the 15th century. This structure, along with the adjacent peasant citadel, represents a prime example of Transylvanian Saxon defensive architecture designed to protect local communities during times of conflict. In 1999, Saschiz was designated as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania. This recognition underscores its historical significance as a preserved testament to the Saxon colonization and fortification efforts that shaped the region's landscape over several centuries.

Currently, Saschiz functions as an active commune composed of three villages: Saschiz, Cloașterf, and Mihai Viteazu. While the demographic makeup has shifted over time from a majority German Saxon population to a predominantly Romanian one, the village retains strong cultural ties to its diverse past. The fortified church remains a central landmark and tourist attraction, maintained as a symbol of the area's rich history. The commune continues to honor its legacy through preservation efforts and by serving as a gateway for travelers exploring the historic Saxon settlements of the Târnava region.

![Photo of Saschiz](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Biserica_fortificat%C4%83_din_Saschiz_vazuta_de_la_Cetatea_Taraneasca_3.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saschiz (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)