Following the Traces of the Teutonic Knights in Transylvania

This book represents an invitation to knowledge, openness and travel, but also to a gesture of modest acknowledgement and of giving up prejudices. Although official historiography has shown a tendency of reticence towards certain hypotheses presented in the pages of this book, we consider that only long-term interdisciplinary approaches can become the prerequisites of finding answers to so many question marks.

The efforts of accomplishing work on the material in this book were vast. The historical, architectural, geographical and toponymical documentation was completed by the thorough in situ analysis of the archaeological sites and accompanied by the observation and understanding of the topography, architecture and construction of edifices, the making of ground surveys, sketches, planes and numerous photographs. Thus, we are now able to generously introduce to the public the first work published ever on the fascinating subject of the Teutonic Order established in south-east Transylvania.

The information found in this book highlights the Teutonic Knights’ qualities of outstanding builders, fighters and monks, detailing aspects linked to their heraldry and symbolical values, data of a personal and human nature and regarding the way they were organized.

The book covers almost every aspect regarding the presence of The Order of Teutonic Knights in south-east Transylvania between 1211-1225:
– beginnings, symbols of the Order of Teutonic Knights, hierarchy, organization, discipline, agriculture, trade, administration, weaponry, swords, chapel, patron saints, community life, courage, sacrifice, honor, war, heraldry, number of knights, architecture and strategy, siege, fortifications typology, edifices attributable to the Teutonic Knights in Transylvania.
– maps: the territory occupied by the Teutonic Knights in Transylvania.
– drawings and plates: symbols of the Order of Teutonic Knights, weapons of the Order of of Teutonic Knights, medieval swords from the 13th century, illustrious names of the age, heraldry of the Order of Teutonic Knights, architecture of the Order of Teutonic Knights, Câmpulung: Convent.
– reconstitution plans: Braşov: Braşovia Fortress, Codlea: The Black Fortress, Feldioara: Fortress, Crizbav: Fortress, Prejmer: the Evangelical Fortified Church, Oraţia: Fortress.
– analysis of the locations linked with the Teutonic Knights: Braşov, Codlea, Feldioara, Crizbav, Hărman, Prejmer, Ungra, Hălmeag, Câmpulung, Oraţia.
– 96 photographs with explanations.
– chronology.
– list of Grand Masters of the Order of Teutonic Knights.
– glossary of terms.
– selective bibliography.