Garbova is a village located 40 km away from Alba Iulia and 49 km from Sibiu. Here one can find numerous traces of ancient settlements which prove that these places were inhabited long before the Bronze Age.
The first written mention about the village was made in 1096. We find that later, between 1333-1336, Garbova had about 50-52 households. From this period or a bit earlier dates the Church from the Hill (or the Romanesque Basilica). The church is part of an oval fortification which includes the Saxon cemetery.
There are writings about the village from the period the Saxons from the area decided to join Luther’s Reform, calling themselves Evangelical Church of Augustan Confession. Despite the smaller community, there is an Evangelical Church still operational in Garbova. It is a white, imposing, spacious and bright hall-shaped church with early Gothic elements. Saxons from the area still come here, religious services are held and the organ is still in use.
A few steps away from the church you can see the Fortress of the Saxon Counts (Cetatea Greavilor). This one has dominated the central square since the 13th century when a local nobleman (greav) built it around a donjon with 2 meters thick walls. Centuries later the donjon was transformed into a bell-tower which can still be seen nowadays.
The good relations between the Romanians and Saxons were a result of thr fact that the Romanian population was poor and almost daily present in the household of the Saxons, assisting them in many aspects of the daily life. Romanians and poor Saxons used to call each other “neighbours”, while the wealthy Saxons were called “masters” by the Romanians.
The Saxons left an important heritage in the area and influenced the way of building, living and doing business of all the inhabitants. So, if you come by on a journey through this unique land of Saxon treasures, take your time, observe and enjoy the many details, as they create the big picture.
