Reformed Church (Santamaria-Orlea)

The church was built in the thirteenth century in Romanesque – early Gothic style and shows similarities with Hungarian Cistercian monastic churches. It has a rectangular-shaped, rib-vaulted  sanctuary and the nave’s ceiling is roofed with timber. The arched western portal with columns, and the semicircular windows of the top floors of the tower present Roman elements, meanwhile the first floor window of the tower is Gothic. The sanctuary is illuminated by a circular window. The church served as a model for the churches built in the region. The interiors of the church are ornate with frescoes, of which the oldest dates back to the fourteenth century. In the late fifteenth century Byzantine frescoes are painted. From 1555 the church is Reformed, but was probably used together with the Orthodox believers, this is where the Cyrillic inscriptions originate. The frescoes are damaged because the church stood without a roof for a time.

Access: Sântămăria-Orlea (Őraljaboldogfalva in Hungarian) is 3 km South-East from Hateg (Hatszeg in Hungarian) on route 66 towards Petrosani. The church is along the main road in the Northern part of the village.