Final Report cu negru - Intbau

workshop report
by Arch. Carmen Tanase
Workshop on eco-tourism and cultural heritage
Held in Laslea, Transylvania, Romania, 1-8 May 2005

CONTENTS
Summary
p. 2
The purpose of the Workshop
Who, where, with what purpose, main tasks, the team
pp. 3-4
The study area
Laslea Commune and the villages around
pp. 5
Groups of work
Four Work Groups
pp. 6
Data collection
A detailed description of what each group has done
pp. 7-22
Flora and Fauna
Conclusions
The three main categories of habitat
pp. 23-25
pp. 26
Activities planned for 2005
pp. 27
The list of participants
pp. 28
1

SUMMARY
The second Transylvania Village Development Workshop organized by
INTBAU took place in the medieval village of Laslea, the administrative
centre of the Commune of Laslea , from 1- 8 May 2005.
The workshop was organized by INTBAU and the Norwegian Foundation
for Urban Renewal and funded by The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, The Norwegian Directorate for Heritage, The Norwegian Foundation
for Urban Renewal and private sponsors.
The beautiful architectural and natural landscape of the Saxon villages
from Transylvania, the way of life which seems to balance the settlement,
nature and culture (a balance toppled in western Europe during the XIXth-
XXth centuries),and the uniqueness of the pattern of settlements are arising
Laslea, Transylvania 2005. photo Carmen Tanase
a force of attraction to which it is impossible to resist.
The landscape depends on the communities and centuries-old farming
tradition which created form and rhythm of the land.
The main challenge for these villages is to carry this beautiful and balanced
landscape (which seems to be almost unchanged since the middle-ages)
into the twenty-first century , preserving the build and natural Heritage while
allowing the full and healthy development of the communities that give life
to these places.
This workshop is seen as a continuation of the previous, when the main
task was to analyse the qualities of the villages and to produce New
Urbanism based proposals for future development of Laslea, including a
Masterplan with strategic objectives regarding a sustainable development
of the village and design guidance for new traditional buildings inside the
village and in any future sustainable urban extension.
Laslea, Transylvania 2005. photo Catalin Rata 2

PURPOSE
who and where,
with what purpose?
The workshop gathered an international team of practitioners
and students from Norway and Romania, coming from different
fields such as architecture, restoration, archaeology , history, tourism,
construction and sociology, all interested in Transylvanian Heritage and in
the future sustainable development of the Saxon villages.
The workshop was lead by Audun Engh, a member of the Foundation for
Urban Renewal and by Arne Sodal, Norwegian architect-planner ,chairman
of the INTBAU Committee of Honour, with the consultancy of the architect
Dorin Boila and of Aura Neag , Communications director of INTBAU UK,
and both founders of INTBAU ROMANIA.
The headquarters of the workshop meetings was the newly
opened INTBAU information centre in Laslea which will function
as an information point ,both for tourists who are coming here and for
Laslea, info point 2005. team at work photo Claus Zapffe locals interested in ecotourism and ways of maintaining their traditional
Saxon houses and farming.
If the previous workshop has concentrated itself only on Laslea village,
this workshop considered as an object of study the whole Commune of
Laslea and the relations between the villages within.
The Commune of Laslea is also studied in relation with the other villages
between Sighisoara and Medias.
INTBAU had the task not only of gathering information about local heritage
but as well of co-ordinating information supplied by all organisations acting
in the area (like MET (Mihai Eminescu Trust) and FCE (Foundation for
Culture and Ecology) and others).
The purpose of the Workshop project was to make a study of the cultural
heritage of the medieval Saxon Villages from Laslea Commune, of the
possibilities for eco-tourism ,to test the existing infrastructure and to make
Laslea, info point 2005. the team photo Claus Zapffe proposals for improvements.
3

PURPOSE main tasks
More specific Tasks that the participants considered were:
1. To discover the old routes of horse-carriages and to create a map with
all this routes.
2. To identify all points of interest in the Commune of Laslea and in the
villages around, in order to establish what can attract tourism here, and
especially, tourists interested in Heritage and in local traditions.
3. To identify the events and traditions which still exist.
4. To identify the character of architecture, the type which is unique in the
case of the Saxon villages of Transylvania.
5. To make a clear description of the villages.
Considering all these tasks from the very beginning of the workshop, the
team started to gather information in order to establish the actual conditions
of the villages and the facts that can become advantages in the future
development.
The main idea is to raise the awareness about the cultural Heritage of
Transylvania, about the rarity and the value of the place, both in the
consciousness of tourists and locals.
If tourism is developing fast in larger towns and cities of Transylvania, in the
more remote Saxon villages it is yet largely undeveloped.
The day tourists tend to pass through quickly, having as a result little
economic benefit for the local communities.
The target is ,in this case, to minimize the impact of a possible mass
tourism but to bring benefit direct to the community, so the short term
gain does not destroy the long term future.
Laslea, 2005. the team in front of the information centre 4

STUDY AREA
The study area covers the Commune of Laslea
(150sq.km. and population 3000 people) with its five
villages: Laslea, Malancrav, Floresti,
Roandola and Noul Sasesc (with their old
Saxon names of: Lasslen, Malmkrog, Felsendorf,
Rauthal and Neudorf ).
Laslea is the site of the Town Hall of the Commune
and it was chosen by INTBAU as headquarters for
their actions in this area ,partly because it is closer
to the main road which links Medias and Sighisoara,
and because it is like a gateway to the other villages.
Malancrav is a particularly interesting village having
a well preserved architecture owing to its isolation
down 13 km of dirt track, rare 15th century frescoes
and a1520 altarpiece in the church. It has as well
the highest proportion of remaining Saxons in
Transylvania, 170, a resident Evangelical priest and
a German language primary school.
In a plan of ecotourism development of this area,
Laslea can not be considered apart from the other
villages in the area. The workshop team has tried
to create a network of interesting points, including
villages like : Biertan (from 1993 on the
UNESCO list of monuments), Dumbraveni (with
the Apaffy castle from 1661), Saros, Richis ,
Copsa Mare, Valchid and Cris.
characteristic fortified
church
fortified church
middle age church
only saxon village
5

WORK
GROUPS
Arne Sodal organising the groups
the skilled draughtsmen
The participants organised themselves, according to the tasks, in four
main groups:
Raluca enjoying hiking
the way of working
hard
with talent
Viscri sketch
with joy
with passion
1. Hiking group - The group had the task of finding the old routes of
carriages between the villages in Laslea and the other villages around and
to draw a map. They also had the task of finding the possibilities of horse
riding in the area.
People involved in this group were: Raluca Elena Mocanu (murals restorator)
Katia Moldoveanu (archaeologist), Bjorn-Are Vollstad (architect student), Ragnhild
Bakkevig (architect student ).
2. Points of interest group - The group had the task to identify the
most interesting buildings, landscapes, fortified churches in the area and
other objects that can become tourist attractions. They also had the mission
of finding out about the possibilities of accommodation and of investigating
Ecological farming and food as a tourism attraction.
People involved in this group were: Claus Zapffe (architect), Carmen Tanase (architect),
Ioana Cristina Bitu (architect), Simina Stan (historian), Catalin Rata (tourism agent).
3. Social and Cultural Events group - The group had the task of
finding out about the traditions and events that still exist in these villages.
People involved in this group were: Irina Neacsu (architect student), Anca Danilescu
(art historian student).
4. Building Heritage and Cultural Landscape group - The group
had the task of identifying the monuments and the buildings with historical
and architectural value and the landscapes with the most interesting Flora
and Fauna.
People involved in this group were: Andreas Fadum Haugstad (architecture student),
Alexandru Marinel (architect), Cetina Samoila (architecture student).
6

DATA COLLECTION
People involved:
Raluca Elena Mocanu (murals restorator),
Katia Moldoveanu (archaeologist),
Bjorn-Are Vollstad (architect student),
Ragnhild Bakkevig (architect student ).
hiking group
seven days hiking trip
hiking boots on start
what a good place to get a nap...
so green....
a horses farm in the top of the hill
on the way
is this the way?
let’s milk the cows
oops, too many...
There are more and more tourists interested in active and adventurous
holidays in the wild countryside of Transylvania, where they can get contact
with the locals and their way of life. These tourists are also very interested
in hiking trips , in riding horses or traveling by carriages like in old times
and why not, in milking cows.
The hiking group has tried to fancy a scenario of a seven days hiking
trip between Medias and Sighisoara, including the visit of the Saxon villages,
camping and horse riding.
They have imagined :
- A hiking family route -with shorter distances between villages
(2-3 hours)
- A hiking sporty route -for trained people with camping equipment
The routes were planned for one week, the last day being reserved for the
visit of Sighisoara. These routes were tested with the routes: Copsa Mare-
Roandola, Copsa Mare- Noul Sasesc, Noul Sasesc-Malancrav-Floresti.
On this tested route they have marked the view points, the picnic spots
and the landmarks.
The Sporty route was:
• 1st day: Medias-Brateiu-Atel-halt and accommodation in Biertan
• 2-nd day: Biertan-Noul Sasesc
• 3-rd day: Noul Sasesc-Rondola-Valchid-Laslea
• 4-th day: Laslea-Floresti
• 5-th day: Malancrav-Apold
• 6-th day: Apold-Saes-Sighisoara
• 7-th day: Sighisoara
The Family route could include more variations depending on
preferences ,the simplest routes being:
• Medias-Brateiu-Atel-Biertan-Noul Sasesc-Valchid-Rondola-Floresti-
Cris-Stejareni-Sighisoara
• Medias-Brateiu-Atel-Biertan-Noul Sasesc-Malincrav-Floresti-Cris-
Stejareni-Sighisoara
7

DATA COLLECTION
hiking group
seven days hiking trip
GENERAL MAP OF THE ROUTS WHICH LINKS THE VILLAGES BETWEEN SIGHISOARA AND MEDIAS
8

.
DATA COLLECTION
People involved:
Claus Zapffe (architect),
Carmen Tanase (architect),
Ioana Cristina Bitu (architect),
Simina Stan (historian),
Catalin Rata (tourism agent).
points of interest
group travel in time
Tourist Attractions in Comuna Laslea and Around
The research and field work around the villages that make up Laslea
has yielded the following results :
The points of interest group have discovered and made a list of the tourist attractions
and facilities in the five villages of the Laslea Commune, i.e. Laslea/ Grosslasseln,
Floresti/, Roandola/ Rauthal, Nou Sasesc / Neudorf and Malancrav / Malmkrog.
The attractions they have researched include the most important heritage points, such as
the fortified Saxon churches and the other churches, the trails / hiking
paths that connect the five villages with one another and with villages of neighboring
communes, the scenic viewpoints. In the same time, they have researched and added
to the list the towns and villages that are situated within close range, because they can only
work as a complex, a coherent network of settlements. The attractions one can encounter
in these different towns and villages complete one another and make a puzzle that can be
stork nest on the rooftop of Laslea church
illustrative for Transylvania. Laslea Commune can not operate alone in this “competitive”
environment. Not only it is too little and deprived of important basic features (accommodation,
info center , crafts shop) that are present in the neighboring towns, but it also
lacks the prime attractions its neighboring towns can pride on. (the fortified seat of the
Saxon bishop in Biertan / Birthaelm or the whole fortified towns, like in Medias and
Sighisoara)Therefore, Laslea can only address (at least at this stage of tourism development)
a different and much smaller segment of tourism. The tourist infrastructure and the
precarious roads do not allow for large flows of tourists. The fact that some of the attractions
are at least temporarily closed (one has to look for the caretaker of the church, which
may prove quite difficult in an isolated village in a foreign country) may also act as a kind of
barrier for those wishing to visit the area. However, Laslea has a favourable geographic
location. The village of Laslea lies less than half an hour by car from the three important
attractions of the area, i.e. Medias, Biertan and Sighisoara. If we calculate an one hour
driving time after departure from the above towns, this allows to get to all of the villages of
Laslea Commune. This means that in half a day, with a car, one can do a quick tour of the
five villages. Alternatively, hiking or riding a horse (which should prove easier after maps
are drawn and published) from Laslea to Nou Sasesc or from Copsa Mare to Nou Sasesc
houses front in Medias main square to Malancrav may make a very scenic full day tour.
9

DATA COLLECTION
points of interest
group travel in time
Below is a short presentation of the Commune and its five villages and
the most important tourist attractions that are accessible within a half
an hour drive.
Laslea village and the main points of interest
- Laslea fortified church. Built in the 19th century on the site
of the former church. It is unique in that it has a north-south orientation,
instead of the traditional position along an east-est axis. It is no longer
used.
- The old belfry tower (from the former gothic church-15th
century)
- Laslea Romanian Orthodox church
- Lodging
Only available at Claudia’s guesthouse, which has somehow of an
improvised character, lacking proper bathrooms for all the rooms. In the
near future, this may become inaccessible, as it is likely to be rented for
several years by companies doing construction works in the commune.
In the future, the parish priest’s house may open as a guesthouse and
training centre for guesthouse owners, if the Lukas foundation, that is in
charge of it and the local hospital, manages to secure funding. At present,
according to the director of the hospital, several beds are
available for visitors in the attic. (the problem may be that people may
not find it attractive to be lodged in a hospital, along terminally ill patients.)
Laslea orthodox church ...Laslea dwellings pattern ............................Natural Landscape with hills in teraces.........orthodox graveyard ...................Laslea fortified tower
10

DATA COLLECTION
points of interest
group travel in time
Nou Sasesc village and points of interest
- Noul Sasesc Evangelical church. Built in 15th century
- A catholic and an orthodox church
- Lodging
Available on request in the parish priest's house. This has two rooms
that can accommodate 4 persons and it also has a bathroom. The person
in charge is Mr Johann Schlager, the caretaker of the Evangelical
Church.
There are some 80 empty houses in the village, the ones in which the
Saxons used to live. These are only partly occupied in summer, when
some of the Saxon owners come back to spend their holiday. Maybe in
the future some of them, at least, could be turned into guesthouses.
Currently, they are maintained by the 63 Saxons who still live in the
village.
- Youth camp
After several years of neglect (1998?-2005), the dorms for pupils in the
youth camp are being repaired again. They may accomodate up to 50
pupils at once. The accompanying persons sleep in a separate building
and the facilities also include a kitchen/ canteen.
Evangelical tower (15th century) ...Noul sasesc dwellings pattern ...Herr Schlager speaking about old Saxon traditions...Evangelical church .......Traditional Saxon costume
11

DATA COLLECTION
points of interest
group travel in time
Malancrav village and points of interest
-Malincrav church.
Built in the first half of the 14th century, . It has outstanding frescoes,
which is twice remarkable, since it is one of the very few Lutheran churches
that have preserved their frescoes, and since these frescoes display an
influence of Byzantine art.
-Malincrav Manor House.
Built by the Hungarian noble family of Apaffy in the Middle Ages, it is now
being restored by the MET. It will be converted into a library and will
comprise lodging facilities for specialist visitors.
-Malincrav Roman-Catholic Church.
There are almost no believers left, and the church is not used any longer.
MET has plans to have it restored.
-Lodging
There is at least one guesthouse owned by the MET.
Evangelical fortified church (14th century) ... 1520 altar piece........... rare 15th century frescoes................manor house Apaffy (17th century)......................catholic church
12

DATA COLLECTION
points of interest
group travel in time
Floresti village
-The Saxon church is among the oldest in the region. Sadly, it is
derelict and no longer used. However, its roof has recently been repaired
and the MET have plans to convert it to other functions.
-The Orthodox church
-Lodging -no
-Horse Riding .There were more locals (especially Rroma)
that own one or two horses and they were willing to gain some
money renting their horses
Floresti orthodox church ...Floresti dwellings pattern ....Roma kid................house whose facades and roof were renovated by MET ......................................pear in bloom
13

DATA COLLECTION
Dumbraveni and Saros
points of interest
group travel in time
The town of Dumbraveni.
This apparently common town prides on its large Armenian Roman-Catholic church from the 18th
century. Built at a time when the town was the home of a thriving community of Armenian merchants, this
church still attracts large crowds for a yearly religious pilgrimage consecrated to the Assumption of the
Virgin (August 15). Furthermore, just across the street there is a former Apaffy castle, which was partly
destroyed and converted after WWII into a local school. If this is at least partly restored on the outside and
if the centre of Dumbraveni is taken care of, we think an itinerary connecting this castle to the other Apaffy
property in Malancrav and the Apaffy castle near Blaj, as well as the Bethlen Castles in Cris, Sanmiclaus
and Cetatea de Balta might prove interesting for a more in-depth presentation of the history and multicultural
background of the area.
The village of Biertan.
This former seat of the bishop of the Saxons (16th to 19th centuries) with its massive hall-church surrounded
by three fortified walls has also become a leading tourist attraction of the area in the last years. A
restaurant and several guesthouses, some of which are operated by the MET, have opened in the last
years. Furthermore, a craft shop which sells good quality artefacts operates now in the main square.
The villages of Cris, Valchid, Copsa Mare, Richis, Bratei, which all have fortified
churches are becoming more and more interesting for hikers and nature lovers.
The town of Sighisoara. It is a municipality with over 30,000 inhabitants and important social
and economic functions. Above all, in the recent years it has developed as a major tourist attraction. The
presence of a fortified town with evangelical churches, mediaeval streets, towers and bastions listed as
an UNESCO heritage site has been attracting increasing numbers of tourists. Consequently, the economy
of Sighisoara has developed a lot, with many new hotels, guesthouses and restaurants.
The town of Medias. Just like Sighisoara, a municipality with over 30,000 inhabitants. Its economic
and industrial functions seem more important than those of Sighisoara, while it gets definitely less tourists.
The fortified town is no longer intact, but the impressive Church of St Margaret or the Castle, as the locals
call it, is still a landmark of the area.
Biertan
In the surroundings of all these towns and villages and in between them, one can find
several dozens of species of rare flowers along the pastures and haymeadows. The
terraced hills provide interesting points of view over the surroundings and integrate into
the general cultural landscape of the Saxon villages. One can also spot, at day or at night,
various kinds of birds and animals such as foxes, rabbits, deer, bore, lynxes or hawks,
falcons and plenty of storks which nest on the chimneys and roofs of the houses and
churches or on the upper part of lampposts.
14

FINAL RESULTS/
DATA PRESENTATION
COLLECTION
Floresti windows type
Laslea windows type
street facade in Noul Sasesc and Viscri
Social and Cultural Events group
People involved:
Irina Neacsu (architect student),
Anca Danilescu (art historian student).
in search of old traditions
The Social and Cultural Events Group had the task of making a
research regarding the folkloric and architectural traditions that
still exist and discover the events (holidays, festivals, fairs...) and customs
of the place, which define a very typical way of life.
The idea was, on one hand, to propose an archive of the built environment
which can lead further to a code of regulations in the construction field,
and, on the other hand, to discover the possibilities of maintaining the
communities which gave the place life.
The rapid exodus of the Saxons from the 1990s, after the Romanian revolution, has precipitated
sudden great change in the communities. The villages have emptied; the remaining communities
are elderly and impoverished. In 1990, the ethnic mix in the Saxon villages was 70% Saxons,
25% Romanian and 5% Rroma, with a Saxon population of 90.000. Today, the population stands
at less than 20.000, from which, 5% are Saxons, 35% Romanian and 60% Rroma. The
Romanian and Rroma population brought their specific customs and traditions and only in few
places there are Saxon traditions which are still kept. (in Richis- the custom of hanging mistletoe
branches at the windows in may saying that there are girls at that house, is an old Saxon
tradition). The exodus of the Saxons had a big impact on the built environment. Since todays
population is mostly orthodox and catholic, the fortified evangelical churches are not anymore
used for service, and that’s why they are kept in a very bad condition. The houses are mostly
owned by Romanians and Rroma who have a very different tradition in construction and do not
necessarily appreciate so much the appearance and identity of their villages. Those who can
afford to invest are looking more for modern comfort and effects like pebble-dash, crazy paving,
tarmac and Alpine picture windows, statements of the modern world. To educate the locals and
to help them to appreciate the long-term economic benefit of conservation in terms of property
values and tourism could be more effective than State regulation and conservation.
In the next pages is presented a calendar with the major events and holidays
that exist in the Saxon villages of Transylvania nowadays:
the Saxon tradition of cutting the roof to the street facade 15

DATA COLLECTION
Building Heritage and Cultural Landscape group
People involved:
Andreas Fadum Haugstad (architecture student),
Alexandru Marinel (architect),
Cetina Samoila (architecture student).
The unity and diversity of settlements
Noul Sasesc street outline
Noul Sasesc street outline
View from the church in Floresti
Up on the hills
The Building Heritage and Cultural Landscape Group had
the task of looking at the cultural and natural heritage sites and documenting
a village profile based on the findings. Their research tried to find the
common and the particular features of the Saxon villages , their relationship
with the landscape, the typical and equally, the unique which is significant
for the Saxon villages.
The common features of the Saxon villages from Laslea Commune
are listed below:
• they display a remarkable and unspoilt harmony between people and
landscape.
• linear street pattern with subsidiary cross-streets.
• the villages are enclosed by steep valley sides (in Laslea and Roandola,
where the landform is less steep , development follows a looser pattern).
• a stream typically runs down the street and pear trees are planted on
either side.
• the houses have a regular pattern: they end-on to the street , painted in
a rich variety of colors with a typicall hipped roof, bringing unity and diversity
to the villages
• a house unit has the common structure: house-courtyard-barnvegetables
garden - orchard-forest
• the fortified churches
• the dancing circles-(tanzplatze)
• the centuries-old agriculture methods that survive today
• the daily rituals in the countryside
• village streets and squares are the focus of public life
• the use of natural materials like lime mortar and clay roof tiles ,of lime
wash colors
20

DATA COLLECTION
Building Heritage and Cultural Landscape group
The unity and diversity of settlements
Catholic Church Malancrav
The state of the built heritage:
• the state of the houses:
Some of the houses have changed their decoration styles over the years
(some getting influences from Art Nouveau and Art Deco) but more
recently the changes bring very strong, severe, and unfortunate effects.
Materials like cement-mortars, crazy pavement and pebble dashed
exteriors and Alpine-style windows are seen as signs of modern life.
The locals, Romanians and Rroma mostly, do not appear to appreciate
the appearance of the Saxon houses which are, for them, old, and
unsuitable for modern comfort.
As the knowledge and the craftsmen needed for a proper restoration are
lacking, the one who have money to renovate their houses make appeal
to today’s materials and cheap untrained workers.
• the state of the fortified churches:
The Evangelical Saxon churches are mostly in a bad condition due the
fact that the small Saxon congregation no longer has the means to maintain
them. The remaining Saxons are taking part at services in small improvised
rooms, or in parish houses or small Chapels. This is happening as well
due to the lack of heating in the old Evangelical churches.
House Unit in Laslea
In conclusion, if there is no future potential for ecclesiastical use,
alternative uses (community halls, concert halls) should be sought.
To improve the state of the houses or to maintain them on a long-term
development, means to make people understand the value of build heritage
both in cultural and economical terms and to make local workshops of
crafts where locals should be trained in traditional methods of restoration.
21

DATA COLLECTION
Building Heritage and Cultural Landscape group
The unity and diversity of settlements
Below are listed the plans and sections of some of the villages from
Laslea Commune showing their particular and common features:
Floresti plan and section
Noul Sasesc plan and section
MAlancrav plan and section
Floresti
• Small village along the river
• Not all the houses are built fallowing a Saxon tradition
• Most of the population are gypsies
• Floresti church-is the oldest in the area. It is situated close by the waterfront; it is in
a very bad condition; only the roof was partly remade by MET
The forest is very close to the village.
Noul Sasesc
• Village developed along the river- mainly on one side
• Village located in a valley
• The landscape is interacting with the village
• Typical Saxon housing
• A small beautiful evangelical church and cemetery located up on a hill
• The dwellings seem to be in a very good shape
• One catholic church on the hills
• An orthodox church is located in the middle of the village
• A great variety of wild plants and insects
• A small Roma community
Malancrav
• Village with houses on each part of the river
• The fortified church is located in top of a hill close to the village: The church and its
tower are in a good shape. It is a great view from the hill to the village
• The second church is a Romano-catholic one , and it is in a bad state
• A regular pattern of houses which sit end-on to the street, painted in a rich variety of
colors like: ochre, green, blue.
• Distinctive hipped roofs
22

DATA COLLECTION
The natural landscape
Flora and Fauna
The natural landscape:
The natural landscape of this Saxon Villages proved to be extremely rich
in terms of relief and of biodiversity, encountering here some rare species
of plants and animals.
Very important research work in this field is being done here by The
ADEPT Foundation, a registered charity working to promote the
conservation of Romania’s internationally important natural heritage, to
create local economic incentives for conservation, and to provide
environmental education. Measures will be designed and implemented
with full community participation, to ensure that they are practical, bring
local economic benefits, and enjoy local support. Their aim is to create a
virtuous circle between conservation of the environment and the well-being
of the inhabitants.
In the Saxon villages of Transylvania, low intensity agriculture coexists
with spectacular flora and fauna, including many endangered species.
The landscape is threatened by rural poverty, loss of traditional land and
forest management, and lack of awareness at both local and national levels
of the biodiversity value of the area.
Dr John Akeroyd and Owen Mountford of the Centre for Ecology and
Hydrology have made a detailed study of the wild habitats of the Saxon
villages in Transylvania. They have found here three main categories
of habitat:
Native deciduous woodland
Dry Grasslands
Wet Grasslands, marshes, flushes, stream sides
For the most passionate , on the next pages are listed the most important
species of plants: 23

DATA COLLECTION
The natural landscape
Flora and Fauna
Trees and shrubs:
The most frequent broadleaved deciduous trees in the Saxon Villages region are: Fagus sylvatica, Quercus petraea and Carpinus betulus, followed by Quercus robur, Q.. pubescens and Q. pedunculiflora.
Conifers are dominated by Pinus sylvestris, P. nigra, P. strobus, Picea abies and Larix decidua. A feature of Laslea Commune is woods of Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens), a Mediterranean tree associated
with sub-steppic conditions in Central Europe.
Of the shrubs, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa and Ligustrum vulgare are particularly frequent (‘Peri-Pannonic hawthorn-blackthorn scrub’). In deforested areas, Rosa canina, Viburnum opulus and
Euonimus europaeus are locally dominant, often with Corylus avellana.
Trees (40 species):Silver Fir (Abies alba) Field Maple (Acer campestre) Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Tatarian Maple (Acer tataricum) Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) Chestnut (Castanea sativa) *Quince (Cydonia oblonga) Beech (Fagus sylvatica) Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) *Walnut (Juglans regia) Larch (Larix decidua subsp. carpatica) *Apple
(Malus sylvestris) Bird Cherry (Prunus padus, Padus avium) Norway Spruce (Picea abies) *Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra subsp. nigra) *Weymouth Pine (Pinus strobus) Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) *London Plane
(Platanus hispanica) White Poplar (Populus alba) White Poplar (Populus nigra) Aspen (Populus tremula) Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) *Pear (Pyrus communis) Wild Pear (Pyrus pyraster) Quercus pedunculiflora
Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens) Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) *False Acacia (Robinia pseudacacia) White Willow (Salix alba)Goat Willow (Salix capraea) Bay Willow (Salix
pentandra) Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) Wild Service-tree (Sorbus torminalis) Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata) Large-leaved Lime (Tilia platyphyllos) Silver Lime (Tilia tomentosa) ,European White Elm (Ulmus laevis)
Shrubs (36 species):Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) Hazel (Corylus avellana) Woodland Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Spindle
(Euonymus europaea) Evonymus verrucosa Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) Steppe Cherry (Prunus fruticosa) Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) Prunus tenella Buckthorn (Rhamnus
cathartica) Mountain Buckthorn (Rhamnus saxatilis) Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) Dog-rose (Rosa canina) Downy Dog-rose (Rosa corymbifera) Provence Rose (Rosa gallica) Small-flowered Sweet-briar (Rosa
micrantha) Harsh Downy-rose (Rosa tomentosa) Dewberry (Rubus caesius)Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) Rubus glandulosusRubus hirtus Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) Grey Willow (Salix cinerea) Salix daphnoidesSalix
rosmarinifolia Almond Willow (Salix triandra) Osier (Salix viminalis) Elder (Sambucus nigra)Elm-leaved Spiraea (Spiraea chamaedryfolia) Bladdernut (Staphylea pinnata) Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus)*
introduced
DRY
GRASSLAND
The grasslands, managed as meadows (mown or scythed) or pastures (grazed), probably derive from wood-steppe and fragments of grassland and scrub on steep slopes, river-banks and other naturally open
ground. The drier grasslands contain at least 21 species on the Romanian Red Data List and one species (Red Viper’s-bugloss, Echium russicum) listed under the EU Habitats Directive.
Note that just a single application of fertilizer would have catastrophic effects on the survival of these remarkable grasslands and their special assemblages of plants and animals.
Characteristic species include:
Grasses and sedges:
Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris),Sweet Vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum),False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius),Tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum),Quaking Grass (Briza media)Chrysopogon
gryllus, Crested Dog’s-tail (Cynosurus cristatus), Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata),Dichanthium ischaemum, Festuca rupicola, Festuca valesiaca, Grey Couch-grass (Elymus hispidus),Erect Brome-grass
(Bromopsis erecta), Soft Brome-grass (Bromus hordeaceus),Bromus squarrosus, Dwarf Sedge (Carex humilis),Heath Sedge (Carex montana), False Sheep’s Fescue (Festuca pseudovina),Valais Fescue
(Festuca valesiana),Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus),Crested Hair-grass (Koeleria macrantha), Transylvanian Melick (Melica transylvanica),Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass (Poa angustifolia),Smooth Meadowgrass
(Poa pratensis),Purple-stemmed Timothy-grass (Phleum phleoides)
Legumes:
Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. polyphylla),Stemless Milk-vetch (Astragalus dasyanthus),Montpellier Milk-vetch (Astragalus monspessulanum),Sainfoin Milk-vetch (Astragalus onobrychis),Chamaecytisus
albus,Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia),Dorycnium (Dorycnium pentaphyllum subsp. herbaceum),Black Broom (Lembotropis nigricans),,Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus),Sickle medick (Medicago falcata),Black
medick (Medicago lupulina),Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia),Restharrow (Ononis arvensis),Hare’s-foot Clover (Trifolium arvense),Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campvestre),Zigzag Clover (Trifolium medium),Upland
Clover (Trifolium montanum),Sulphur Clover (Trifolium ochroleucon),Red Clover (Trifolium pratense),Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca),Hairy Tare (Vicia hirsuta),Common Vetch (Vicia sativa)
Orchids:
Marsh Helleborine (Epipactis palustris) Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea),Twayblade (Listera ovata),Bug Orchid (Orchis coriophora),Military Orchid (Orchis militaris),Green-winged Orchid (Orchis
morio) ,Three-toothed Orchid (Orchis tridentata),Perforate St John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum),Inula ensifolia,Iris aphylla,Jurinea (Jurinea mollis subsp. transilvanicas),Yellow Garlic (Allium flavum),Field
Scabious (Knautia arvensis subsp. pannonica),Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare),Purging Flax (Linum catharticum),Yellow Flax (Linum flavum),Perennial Flax (Linum perenne),Tasselled Hyacinth (Muscari
comosum),Purple Nonea (Nonea pulla),Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum pyramidale) ,Orlaya (Orlaya grandiflora),Pepper Saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga),Field Cow-wheat (Melampyrum arvense)
Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata),Hoary Plantain (Plantago media),Large Milkwort (Polygala major),Sulphur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta),Cut-leaved Self-heal (Prunella laciniata),Large-flowered Self-heal
(Prunella grandiflora),,Rumelian Hay-rattle (Rhinanthus rumelica),Sorrel (Rumex acetosa),Nodding Sage (Salvia nutans),Meadow Clary (Salvia pratensis),Transylvanian Clary (Salvia transilvanica),Salad,Burnet
(Sanguisorba minor),Yellow Scabious (Scabiosa ochroleuca),Purple Viper’s-grass (Scorzonera purpurea),Orpine (Sedum telephium),Silene chlorantha,Austrian Woundwort (Stachys austriaca),Downy
Woundwort (Stachys germanica),Red Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys),Small Meadow-rue (Thalictrum minus),Flax-leaved Bastard-toadflax (Thesium linophyllon),Goat’s-beard (Tragopogon pratensis),Large
Speedwell (Veronica austriaca),Spiked Speedwell (Veronica spicata),Purple Mullein (Verbascum phoeniceum),Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria subsp. hirundinaria).
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DATA COLLECTION
The natural landscape
Flora and Fauna
All these dry and semi-dry grasslands are colourful from early May onwards, when several orchids – a feature of this habitat -– are in flower, for example Military Orchid, Green-winged Orchid and Threetoothed
Orchid , also Yellow Adonis, Montpellier Milk-vetch, Purple Mullein, Purple Viper’s-grass and the first sages.
By June the grasslands present a superb spectacle. The mix of colours derives from high species diversity, notably the suite of clovers, vetches and other legumes. From a distance the massed
cream heads of Dropwort, loose pink spikes of Sainfoin and blue splashes of Clary are particularly distinctive. At closer quarters the pale pink of Squinancywort, the yellow of Lady’s Bedstraw and longstalked
pink-and-bronze heads of Charterhouse Pink, are conspicuous. Extensive patches are pale yellow with Rhinanthus rumelica.
In late July the grasslands remain colourful, with splashes of blue Creeping Bellflower and Spiked Speedwell, purplish-pink knapweeds and Zigzag Clover, yellow Agrimony and Lady’s Bedstraw, white Wild
Carrot, pale yellow and conspicuous greenish-cream clumps of the umbellifers Field Eryngo and Longleaf.
On some steeper slopes the clumps or stands of Blackthorn and Privet scrub, with some Wild Pear, supports a sub-Pannonian ‘wood-steppe’ flora, with lusher grassland. The scrub shows evidence of
burning, presumably to clear land for grazing, and Wood Ant nests occur here and there. Growing in this community are two roses, French Rose (Rosa gallica) and Small-flowered Sweet-briar (Rosa
micrantha), and occasionally (for example, just south of Cris) the striking and scarce subshrub Burning Bush (Dictamnus albus).
MESIC
GRASSLAND
Some drier grasslands show an increasing influence of human management, with mesic habitat conditions – neither markedly wet nor dry, moderately nutrient-rich (but not excessively fertilised) and neutral to
mildly acid pH. Where such swards were managed by cutting and some aftermath grazing, communities could be ascribed to the order Molinio-Arrhenatheratalia to include permanent mesotrophic pastures
and aftermath-grazed meadows or coarse permanent grassland and tall herbs. These are usually mown but little grazed. Such communities are widespread throughout Europe, and have a generally similar
composition. These sort of grasslands are decreasig around villages, often resown with forage legumes such as alfalfa.
Species include -
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium),Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris),False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius)Quaking Grass (Briza media),Autumn Crocus (Colchiucum officinale),Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia)
Rough Hawk’s-beard (Crepis biennis),Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare),Crested Dog’s-tail (Cynosurus cristatus),Cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata),Wild Carrot (Daucus carota),Eyebright (Euphrasia
roskoviana),Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) ,Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis),Red Fescue (Festuca rubra),Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris),Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum),Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon
hispidus),Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare),,Field Woodrush (Luzula campestris),Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio),Lamb’s-tongue Plantain (Plantago lanceolata),Smooth Meadow-grass (Poa
pratensis),Tormentil (Potentilla erecta),Cowslip (Primula veris),Sorrel (Rumex acetosa),Greater Burnet (Sanguisorba offficinalis),Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea),Alsike Clover (Trifolium
hybridum),Upland,Clover (Trifolium montanum),Red Clover (Trifolium pratense),White Clover (Trifolium repens),Yellow Oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens).
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DATA COLLECTION
FINAL PRESENTATION
Final Results and Conclusions
Extras from the short Report written by Terje Nypan
The final presentation took part in the INTBAU info centre in Laslea and all the four
groups presented their work and conclusions.
Conclusions about Walking:
The footpaths are walkable, there is an absolute need for topographical maps to mark the
paths and in some places physical marking of the paths are necessary. There were not
experienced any great problems with stray dogs or wild animals . The flora contains over 1000
species and over 100 are on the European red list. The walking group saw many animals;
mostly fox and deer. A tour guide must be developed and the material from the workshop can
be used for this. At present, a Romanian-speaking tour guide is recommended. Horse riding
and using horse carts is unproblematic, but the logistics of organisation is at present an obstacle.
Conclusions about Accommodation:
A few guesthouses in the village are functional. The accommodations possibilities in the old
priest houses and other private homes need a serious upgrading. The major problem with
accommodation is the difficulty in finding the people who have the key and in booking such
accommodation in advance. Here a major organisational effort must be made. For the moment
we can only recommend that such tours be organised for groups and that they be planned well
in advance. The information office in Laslea has an important role to play in this respect.
Village profiles, cultural heritage landmarks and events:
An event calendar has been made. The major problem here is that many of the traditional
events are disappearing with the last remaining Saxon inhabitants. This should not pose a
great problem as the new Romanian population are introducing their own festivals, but these
are different.
Village profiles and landmarks can be developed to a higher level of sophistication, if one wishes.
There are two major problems here:
A: The need for maintenance and the falling into disrepair of many of these landmarks
B:The ongoing dilapidation of many of the traditional Saxon houses and their typical element
and the change of village architecture which takes away much of the charm and therefore also
the attraction.
The strong sides are the continued rural life style with cows returning and leaving the villages to
their pastures, the ducks, geese and hens freely wandering in the villages, the large flock of
sheep grassing in the hills and the shepherds following them. And of course the nature and the
landscape itself, with is flora and fauna.
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DATA COLLECTION
Activities planned for 2005
Extras from the short Report written by Terje Nypan
Office and infor
orma
mation centre.
With the special funding from the Norwegian Embassy in Bucharest the INTBAU (Ro) information office will be run. A permanent presence has been assured for 1 day pr. Week
through cooperation with village volunteers. Further, the local members of INTBAU (Ro) who are based in Medias will visit the office on a regular basis.
Restoration and training on house 344
An agreement has been made between MET 1 and INTBAU (Ro) to organise a cooperative venture to restore the house 344 in Laslea. This house was planned for demolition by the
Municipality. The order to demolish has now been cancelled. Work on the house has started with documentation, under the supervision of Master mason Mr. H. Rumboldt and a
team of English craftsmen. The work on the house will simultaneously function as a training opportunity for local craftsmen.
INTBAU will be responsable for restoring and equipping the interior of the house and to run the centre for five years after completion.
Cobble- stones on the new watering emplacement for livestock
This project, which was to be organised by INTBAU (Ro) and part financed by a special funding by the Norwegian Embassy in Bucharest, will be initiated during the summer 2005.
Sundry activities
A test tour for eco-tourism planned for the fall 2005.
INTBAU Ro has been invited to organise a week study seminar in Bran, which will be held first week of august 2005. The seminar is part of a summer university organised in
cooperation with the Bran Museum and the Ministry of Culture. The objective is to study how development inside Bran village and the surrounding countryside can be directed and
managed to assure a more controlled development in Bran. Bran is presently experiencing a growing problem with uncontrolled construction in its surroundings and haphazard
centre development.
Sustainability
By the establishment of the INTBAU office in Laslea a more permanent presence in the municipality has been assured.
The work on House 344 in the centre of Laslea also assures a visible presence and reminder of the need and potential of maintaining the traditional architecture in the village. This
is strengthened by the offices being next door to the Town hall and the close cooperation intended in the cobblestone project.
In cooperation with the Municipality INTBAU will negotiate some specific restoration activities in Laslea during 2005.
1
Mihai Eminescu Trust
2
Such is the case with the manor house in Malencrav, which, if finished by mid September 2005, would count as 3 houses.
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DATA COLLECTION
List of participants and contact details
1.Claus Zapffe zapffe@zapffe.com
(+47) 91 114 117
Schivesgate 10B
0259 Oslo, Norway
2. Simina Stan stan_simina@yahoo.com
(+40) 021-2321810
Bd. Aerogarii nr. 2-8, bl II/1, sc. C, ap. 21
sector 1, Bucuresti, Romania
10. Ioana Bitu ioanabitu@yahoo.com
(+40) 727707105
Str. Vasile Milea nr. 7, bloc B1, apt. 14
sector 6, Bucuresti, Romania
11. Alexandru Marinel alexprotest@yahoo.com
(+40)0742904753
Str. Turbinei, nr.5, ap. 1, sector 2
Bucuresti, Romania
21. Oyvind Eikvam
(+47)22492229
Alaf Bullsvei 3A, 0765, Oslo, Norway
22. Olav Bjerve olbjerve@online.no
(+47)22203344,(+47)91776895
St.Alavsat 7, 0165Oslo, Norway
3. Anca Danilescu ancadanilescu@yahoo.com
(+40) o21 315 75 20
(+40)0722 95 97 25
Str. Episcopiei nr.6, etaj 4, apartament 9
sector 1, Bucuresti , Romania
4. Raluca Elena Mocanu ralumocanu@yahoo.com
(+40)021 778 37 18
(+40)724 58 76 94
Str. Drumul Taberei nr.92 Bl.C7 sc.E ap.187
sector 6 Bucuresti, Romania
5. Catalin-Tudor Rata catalin3007@yahoo.fr
(+40) 21.346.31.80
(+40) 744.37.31.35
Calea Vitan 219, bl. 10, sc. 3, et. 4, ap. 140
Bucuresti-3, 031291
PO-Box 77-08, 033290
6. Ragnhild Bakkevig ragnhba@stud.ntnu.no
(+47) 92848085
Postboks 1464 Bleikemyr,
5518 Haugesund , Norway
7. Andreas Fadum Haugstad andreasf@stud.ntnu.no
(+47) 92014116
Nordre Lokkevei 18
3120 Tonsberg , Norway
8. Irina Neacsu yna_line@yahoo.com / yrynaa@yahoo.com
(+40)722134307
Bd. Natiunile Unite, nr.5, bl.110,sc.B, ap.42,
9. Katia Moldoveanu katia_moldoveanu@yahoo.com
(+40)0740.824.698
Radu Popescu 17, bl.24A, sc.1, ap.24
Bucuresti 1, RO
12. Samoila, Cetina cetina2@email.ro
(+40)0723.411.300
Str. Gutuilor, nr. 14, Arad
jud. Arad, Romania
13. Carmen Tanase carmenarh@yahoo.com
(+40)0740030555
Str. Intrarea Dr. Felix, nr.2, bl.M4, sc.A, ap.79
sector1, Bucuresti, Romania
14. Bjorn-Are Vollstad bjornav@stud.ntnu.no
(+47)97140250
Rennekleiva 17,
6800 Forde, Norway
15. Aura Neag aura.neag@princes-foundation.org
+44 (0)207 613 8530
19-22 Charlotte Road
London EC2A 3SG, UK
16. Audun Engh audun.engh@broadpark.no
+47 98028911
St. Olans Gate 9
0165 Oslo, Norway
17. Arne Sodal arnsoeda@online.no
+47 92298996, +4722200924
St. Alavset 7
0165 Oslo, Norway
18. Dorin Boila dorinb@rdslink.ro
+400723282450
19. Per Halvorsen mar-5@online.no
+4791702777
20. Carl Wilhelm Tyren tyren@as.online.no
(+47)91152271
Angerstv. 38B, 1349, Rykkin, Norway
28