Seiden

When one hears of Seiden (Romanian Jidvei, Hungarian Zsidve), one thinks of wine. The village is currently the most famous wine-producing location in Transylvania and possibly in all of Romania.

Seiden is situated on the left bank of the Small Târnava, on the border between Alba and Mureș counties, in what the Transylvanian Saxons called the "Weinland" (Wine Country) — an extensive area along both Târnava rivers.

The village is part of the "Wine Road / Drumul Vinului". For those who do not know it, the route begins at the foot of the Apuseni Mountains and passes through an area of rare beauty. It crosses the villages of Gârbova, Câlnic, Sebeș, Alba Iulia, Șard, Ighiu, Ighiel, Țelna, Tibru, Cricău, Teiuș, Aiud, Crăciunelu de Jos, Blaj, Ciumbrud, Jidvei and Cetatea de Baltă. Each village has something distinctive, and besides the wine traditions, visitors can admire the historical, scenic and religious aspects of the communities. The tourist attractions are numerous, such as the fortified church of Seiden. The congregation is quite small, counting around forty members, but it also serves congregations of the Târnava region from the Mühlbach (Sebeș) church district. The fortified church was built, like many others, in place of an earlier church around 1500 and was substantially rebuilt four centuries later. Of the two walls, only the gate tower remains standing. What is special about this tower is its north side, where two clocks can be seen mounted one above the other.

Inside, visitors will find the Classicist pulpit and a Baroque altar from 1795. The original Gothic altar was taken to Taterloch. On the western gallery stands the organ, built in 1804 by Samuel Metz. In front of the altar stands the baptismal font from 1801.

It is said that the Transylvanian Saxons were the ones who refined the local silver grapes into golden grapes, even though archaeological finds show that wine was cultivated in the village during the time of the Dacians.

If you are already in Seiden, you must visit the Bethlen-Haller Castle in the municipality of Kokelburg (Cetatea de Baltă). This listed monument is full of mysteries and adventure. It is said that it was once lost in a card game and was sold and given away multiple times.

In Seiden, you can find the keys to the fortified church at Mrs. Kathi Seczi, House No. 148.

Author: Zîmța Andreea
Date: 15.01.2018

For photos from Seiden, please click: Photos from Seiden