travellers' tales · books · tours · gallery · contacts · www.rareadventures.com

Books

Fortresses of Faith

As the third millennium begins, the story of the Saxon settlers in Transylvania assumes a particular historical pertinence. For nearly a thousand years, these stalwart people from the Rhine valley and thereabouts played a key role in the history of Transylvania until their Diaspora in the second half of the twentieth century. Fortresses of Faith focuses on their magnificent architectural legacy - the fortress-churches or kirchenburgen of the Seibenburgen. After a comprehensive introduction covering history, architecture, and decor, the author takes us on an enthralling photographic tour, helpfully arranged for travelers into the areas surrounding Sibiu, Medias, Sighisoara, and Brasov.

Alan Ogden's black and white photographs poignantly capture the moody images of these "stone war-horses of Christendom," many of which are now without congregations and prey to the dilapidation of time. It is a superb photographic record with a broad appeal to overseas descendants of Transylvanian Saxons, tourists, and students of Romanian history.

While there is a comprehensive German-language library and database on this subject, this is the first English language book to address this topic and will be of great interest. The author, Alan Ogden, received enthusiastic support from historians in Germany and Romania as well as official sponsorship from British American Tobacco plc, who shared his vision of sounding the alarm about the uncertain future of this forgotten heritage of Christian Europe.

Fortresses of Faith
A Pictorial History of the Fortified Saxon Churches of Romania
Written and Photographed by Alan Ogden
ISBN 973-9432-08-5

Travel

• Moons and Aurochs
• Winds of Sorrow
• Revelations of Byzantium
• Romania Revisited
• Fortress of Faith

History

• The Discontented
• Through Hitler's back Door

New editions

• Two Vagabonds in the Languedoc
• Romanian Furrow

All the above titles can be ordered from:
John Sandoe (Books) Ltd
10 Blacklands Terrace, Chelsea, London, SW3 2SRB
Telephone orders: 00 44 20 7589 9473