Eastern European Castles

Premjer - Transylvania, Romania

This fortified church was built with a great perimeter wall 14 feet thick and 40 feet high. Peasants sought refuge in this church in times of emergency.

A water-filled moat, four towers and a low front wall were the castle's main line of defense against attacking armies. The entrance was protected by a drawbridge and covered in a way that could be blocked by five portcullises. Large storerooms in the church were used to hold supplies and possessions from the villagers during sieges.