Reformed Church of Sântămăria Orlea, ROMANIA
The Reformed Church of Sântămăria Orlea is one of the oldest stone churches in Transylvania, Romania, a landmark of the Hațeg cultural landscape and part of a UNESCO Global Geopark. The church showcases the transition from Romanesque to Gothic architecture and bears witness to centuries of religious and cultural change in Europe. In continuous liturgical use for more than seven centuries, it reflects sustained cultural exchanges between Western, Byzantine and local traditions. Built at the end of the 13th century by the Cândea/Kendeffy family, one of the most influential noble families in the region, the church later served different communities and denominations, most recently the Reformed Church since 1555, giving it lasting significance for diverse communities today. Despite this exceptional continuity, the building and its rare mural paintings are now increasingly threatened by structural decay, rising damp and the effects of past inadequate repairs, placing this fragile monument at risk of irreversible loss without timely conservation.
Architecturally, the Church of Sântămăria Orlea combines Romanesque and Gothic influences, featuring a Romanesque portal on its southern side, and a Gothic window on the first floor. The building also preserves a stratigraphy of murals with religious motives, dated 1311, 1400 and 1450, which are rare to have survived in Central Eastern Europe. These frescoes have never been restored. Sântămăria Orlea is still standing tall, but structurally fragile and affected by decades of decay. The roof was reconstructed with inadequate materials, the precious murals are partly unprotected and starting to peel off, and the site is generally threatened by rising dampness, cracks, loss of plaster, lack of utilities and minimal maintenance.
The Advisory Panel of the 7 Most Endangered Programme highlighted: “Although officially recognised as a monument of outstanding value, the Church of Sântămăria Orlea has endured decades of neglect and unsuitable interventions. Water has slowly found its way into the building, and cracks have appeared. The exceptional Byzantine-inspired frescoes, which have survived for centuries, now face the risk of irreversible loss. We believe that this trajectory must be urgently reversed. Inclusion on the 7 Most Endangered list can act as a powerful catalyst — drawing attention to the church’s precarious condition and mobilising international knowledge and expertise. Safeguarding this magnificent monument is not only an act of conservation, but also an opportunity to renew its role within the region, supporting local communities and fostering sustainable cultural tourism.”
The Reformed Church of Sântămăria Orlea was nominated for the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2026 by the Kelemen Lajos Built Heritage Conservationists Society (KLMT), with the support of the owner, the Reformed Parish of Hațeg, as well as the Romanian Order of Architects, ICOMOS Hungary, and several academic partners.
To date, historical research and minor repair works have been carried out. A comprehensive rehabilitation project has been proposed by M&M Design Ltd. with the aim of securing funding for essential conservation measures, including the installation of drainage around the church, restoration of stone, woodwork and roofing, conservation of the murals, and the introduction of basic utilities. KLMT brings long-term advocacy capacity in Transylvania and will coordinate the process together with the Parish and the design team. Its president, Ádám Maksay, has extensive experience in heritage conservation, including the coordination of the rehabilitation of St. Michael’s Church in Cluj-Napoca, winner of a European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2024.
