Unity at St Margaret's Church, Medias

myminifactory

Mediaș boasts one of Romania's most well-preserved historical centers and several medieval fortifications still standing tall. A prominent symbol of the town is the Tower of the Buglers, a towering 70 meters high structure that began taking shape in the 13th century. By the 15th century, its construction had reached five tiers, with the St. Margaret Church completed around the same time. Two years later, three more tiers were added in just two months. The tower's roof is made of colorful vitrified tiles and features four turrets, while a guard sounded his bugle to warn of approaching enemies. A small wooden man hidden between the clock faces rings a bell to signal when the hour will strike. The tower leans slightly to the north due to its heavy weight on sandy soil. Restoration work was done in 1927-1930 and again in 1972, with the tilt from base to tip measuring 2.32 meters. The city sits at the heart of Transylvanian Saxon territory, surrounded by dozens of fortified churches within a 20 km radius, two of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. St. Margaret Church stands out as a prime example of Gothic architecture, built in 1488 with subsequent modifications over the years. Its tower, constructed in 1460, began to lean due to weak ground structure. By 1550, three additional storeys had been added, bringing its height to 68.5 meters, accompanied by four smaller towers that served as a symbol of the city's court. In 1783, the roof was renovated and the small towers were repaired, with the golden globe from 1550 being removed from the tower and read aloud according to tradition. The tower proved to be an effective vantage point, with the trumpeter playing a crucial role in alerting locals of approaching danger. A misstep would result in severe punishment, earning it the name Trumpeters Tower. Vlad Ţepeş, also known as Dracula, was imprisoned here by King Matyas in 1476. The church walls feature frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries, while the altar, created in 1480, depicts the suffering of Jesus. Below Jesus' arm on the portrait is a Wien panorama, indicating its origin. Eastern wall carpets adorn the church walls, some dating back to the 16th century, with the oldest brazen baptistry in the country made at the beginning of the 19th century. The pulpit canopy was crafted by master Sigismund Moess in 1679, and the pipe-organ from 1755 is suitable for symphony concerts, which take place while the church benches are rearranged to face the organ.