Respect at St Margaret's Church, Medias

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Mediaș boasts one of the best-preserved historical centers in Romania and a collection of remarkably well-maintained medieval fortifications. A prominent symbol of the town is the Tower of the Buglers, standing an impressive 70 meters tall. Its construction began in the 13th century, and by the 15th century it had been elevated to five distinct tiers. The adjacent St. Margaret Church was completed around the same time. Later, three additional tiers were swiftly added within a mere two months. The tower's roof is adorned with vibrant vitrified tiles, and four turrets have been built. A dedicated guard would sound his bugle whenever an enemy approached, alerting the town to potential danger. In its South-Western corner, between the clocks, a small wooden man stands, ringing a bell to announce when the clock will chime on the hour. The tower's heavy pressure on the sandy soil has caused it to tilt slightly to the North. Between 1927 and 1930, and later in 1972, the tower underwent significant consolidation efforts. The tilt of the tip compared to the base is a notable 2.32 meters. Mediaș lies at the heart of an area once inhabited by Transylvanian Saxons, and within a 20-kilometer radius, dozens of fortified churches can be found, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites. St. Margaret Church: This fortified church was built in the Gothic style in 1488, with subsequent modifications over time. The weak ground structure led to its tower, constructed in 1460, becoming noticeably inclined. In 1550, the church was elevated by three storeys, and four smaller towers were added, giving it a total height of 68.5 meters. Around this time, it gained its distinctive court feature. In 1783, the roof structure was revamped, and the small towers were renovated; it was also during this period that the golden globe from 1550 was removed from the tower and, according to tradition, its contents were read aloud. The tower proved to be an excellent vantage point for spotting potential threats. At that time, the trumpeter in the tower played a crucial role, warning of approaching danger. If he made an error, he would face severe consequences, being thrown from the top of the tower. This event is the origin of the tower's name: Trumpeters' Tower. Vlad Ţepeş, also known as Dracula, was ordered to be imprisoned in this very tower by King Matyas in 1476. The church walls feature 14th- or 15th-century frescoes, and the altar, crafted in Gothic style in 1480, depicts the sufferings of Jesus. A notable Wien panorama can be seen below the crucified Jesus' arm on the portrait, indicating its origin. The church is also decorated with eastern wall carpets gifted by Christians, some dating back to the 16th century. Inside the church lies the country's oldest brazen baptistry, created at the beginning of the 19th century. The canopy of the pulpit was made in 1679 by master Sigismund Moess, and its pipe-organ, constructed in 1755, is suitable for symphony concerts. During these events, the church benches are rearranged to face the pipe-organ.