Dobring

Dobring (Romanian: Dobârca, Hungarian: Doborka, Transylvanian Saxon: Dobrengk) lies in Hermannstadt (Sibiu) County in Transylvania, Romania.

The first written record dates from 1309.

The defensive complex watches over the village from a plateau at the northwestern edge of the settlement. The church is surrounded by an oval outer wall with three towers and a fortified gate tower with an additional wall (with atrium). The western and southern towers have been partially demolished. The three-aisled basilica and the western tower were built from river stone. The polygonal apse represents the transitional period between Romanesque and Gothic. The vaulting from this period has survived.

In 1481 the Romanesque basilica was converted into a hall church. In the same period several other changes were made. The western tower has survived. This tower and the wall paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries are unique and have endured for many centuries. On the south side of the tower there is a depiction of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child (13th–14th century). Inside the nave the Gothic decoration of the columns has been preserved. In the chancel and nave areas there are decorative paintings with architectural elements from the mid-18th century.

Almost everything has been stolen from the church: pews, books, organ pipes, and so on. Today the interior serves as a stable for the village cows. The Evangelical church of Dobring is unfortunately not the only historical monument that has been left to decay.

A handful of people have taken the initiative to save the church in Dobring. Anyone with experience and knowledge in the restoration of monuments, as well as volunteers who can help on site or in the media, are warmly invited to lend their support.

The Kirchenburg Dobring Project regularly posts updates on Facebook and on their website about the current state of the construction work. Do take a look!

Together we can do it!

360° Panorama

Panorama 1Panorama 2

Author: Zîmța Andreea
Date: 12.05.2018

For photos from Dobring, please click: Photos from Dobring