Brasov's most important landmark, apparently the largest church between Vienna and Istanbul, towers over Piata Sfatului and the old town. The Black Church has a turbulent history: built between 1385 and 1477 on the site of an earlier church (destroyed by Mongol invasions in 1242), the construction of the Marienkirche was hampered by extensive damage caused by Turkish raids in 1421. The church was given its new name after disaster stuck again in 1689, when the 'Great Fire' levelled most of the town, blackening the walls of the church. Restoration took almost 100 years. Of two towers planned, only one (65.6m high) was finished.

The original Gothic interior has suffered under the restorations, and the lofty, light space you see nowadays is mostly Baroque. Humanist Johannes Honterus, whose 101-year-old statue can be seen next to the tower, became Stadtpfarrer (priest) a few years after bringing Lutheranism to Brasov in 1542. Listen to the impressive 4000-pipe organ dating from 1839 during the concerts held at least once a week. Best of all however are the 119 fabulous Anatolian carpets on display. The rugs were donated by German merchants in the 17th and 18th century, thankful to have survived their shopping trips into the barbaric lands south and east of the Carpathians. The collection is the largest of its kind in Europe.

 Admission 6 lei; students 3 lei; children 2 lei.