Black Church (Biserica Neagra)

Brasov’s monumental Black Church (Biserica Neagra) soars heavenwards at the southwestern end of the city’s focal Council Square (Piata Sfatului) and is the largest Gothic church in central Europe. Afloat with flying buttresses and a landmark tower, construction on the church began in 1383 and it was completed almost a century later in 1477; along with several other prominent buildings in the city it was all but destroyed in the great fire of 1689 and takes its present name from its blackened, smoke-damaged walls. Repairs took more than 100 years and even today only one of the two proposed towers is complete, standing 215 feet (65.6 meters) above the Council Square. 
The Black Church’s Gothic vaulting remains but the interior now shows touches of Baroque in its styling; the flamboyant, 4,000-pipe organ is one of the best in Romania, designed in 1839 by the famous German organ-maker Carl August Buchholz and there are weekly organ concerts at 6 p.m. each Tuesday (tickets cost 10 lei). The church also has a priceless collection of 17th- and 18th-century carpets from Asia Minor, which provide a welcome splash of warmth and color against its austere walls.

Practical Info

Curtea Johannes Honterus 2, just off Council Square. Open summer Tues–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 12pm–7pm; winter Tues–Sat 10am–3pm, Sun 12pm–3pm. Admission adults 8 lei; students 5 lei; children 3 lei.