Cincu is first mentioned in a document of 1329 as Schenck, a word connected to Schenke, meaning “tavern” in German. The village was founded in the mid-12th century by some 30 families of German settlers from the Rhineland. There were 64 families in 1488, 70 in 1532 and 344 in 1729. Some 215 individuals were settled there by the Hapsburg in 1753. In 1850, there were 2635 inhabitants.

In 1930, there were 2449, of whom 1112 were Transylvanian Saxons. In 1956, the population stood at 2232. In 2000 there were still 70 remaining, but nowadays, the majority of the Transylvanian Saxons have left the country, so there aren’t too many left to tell the story of the village. Still some of the come once a year to visit the places where they had been born and where they had lived.

This Saxon fortified church from Cincu was built around the middle of the XIII century by German settlers and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This Gothic beauty stands tall on a hill, imposing over the whole village.

While the two rows of fortification walls have survived only in fragments, the church is actually in very good shape, but has gone through many changes since it was first erected. Built in 1265 by German colonists, it was rebuilt in the first half of the XVI century in Gothic style, then rebuilt again in the XVIII century.

The most important element of the church – and one of its main attractions – is the altar, painted with scenes illustrating the Incredulity of Saint Thomas. The altar had been initially made for the church of Moșna and then bought by the locals of Cincu, who brought in a great painter of Sibiu to decorate it. The paintings on the lower part of the altar actually represent members of the local community, painted in the dress of local shepherds.

Inside the church you will find invaluable collections of traditional costumes, Oriental carpets, marks and vestiges of different trades, wall fragments, Gothic pews.

For accommodation in the village, you can try the guest rooms in the parish house beside the fortified church, contact person: Mrs Friederike Pall (phone: +40/268/244192)

If you want to visit the church, the keys are with Mr. Constantin Boghean (phone: +40/784/451 853 or +40/268/244 112; address: Cincu, nr. 442).