The St Bartholomeu Evangelical Church is the oldest building in Brasov. Built in the 13th century its folk name was 'the maiden' due to a belief that the church was built at the initiative of three maidens who after their death left their entire possessions to the church. As a tribute the church-goers buried the bodies of the three maidens under the altar. The three-nave church with its massive surrounding walls outlasted the Turkish invasion and the 1689 great fire, as well as the raids of Vlad Tepes (1458) and Báthory Gábor (1611.) Its tower collapsed in the 1822 earthquake and was rebuilt a storey higher in 1842. The western, southwestern and most of the northern section of the middle age wall was preserved in its original state. The eastern-, and parts of the northern section had been rebuilt. There is a sundial on the outside wall of the church. The surrounding walls also enclose a cemetery. It is more than 500 years now since the Sunday before August 24 (St Bartholomew's day) has become a celebration day for the Saxons residing in the area. Following the celebration ceremony, German folk dancers, folksong singers and a wind orchestra entertain the crowd. The folk art exposition, opened in 2003 inside the church, houses 1500 artifacts, most of them former belongings of the emigrated German families. Once inside the building one could admire Saxon rooms, furniture, articles for personal use, folk wear, objects used in carpentry, bakery or agriculture.
