Apoldu de Sus: Cultural History and Wine

Apoldu de Sus offers several specific points of interest for a trip focused on Transylvanian cultural history: a protected church complex, traces of different eras, Landler history, and wine. Old Saxon houses are also part of the townscape; they are considered graceful and colorful. This lets you choose the topics of your trip deliberately, rather than limiting them to a single historical period.

Evangelical Church and Landler History

The Evangelical fortified church complex is protected and listed in the county’s cultural heritage register. The church was built between 1835 and 1838, and its tower between 1867 and 1869. By contrast, fragments of the fortified enclosure are dated to the 13th to 16th centuries. The church, tower, and enclosure therefore represent different historical periods, which you can distinguish when learning about the church complex.

Landler history is also part of the identity of Apoldu de Sus, which is also called Großpold. In 1752, 168 Landler immigrants came here. Apoldu de Sus is the westernmost of the three Transylvanian Landler communities. These two details give the town’s history a specific temporal and regional context: the immigration is linked to a year and a number, while the designation as the westernmost community describes Großpold’s position among the three communities.

Museum and Finding Your Way Around

The traditional museum is called “Bei meinen Nachbarn in Großpold” (“At My Neighbors’ in Großpold”), in Romanian “La vecinii mei din Apoldu de Sus.” Use Maria Teresa Street as a landmark; locally, it is also known as “ulița de dindărăt”: the museum is opposite house number 231. Check this landmark again before traveling. The museum’s name and the street name also offer a way into the German and Romanian names associated with Apoldu de Sus.

Archaeological Traces of the Past

The archaeological sites complement the more recent history of the church and immigration with much older findings. At “între Apoalde,” one site includes a La Tène settlement attributed to the Geto-Dacian culture. At the “Apold” archaeological site, there are settlement traces from the 9th to 13th centuries; at “Curtea Velii,” these include an agricultural estate from the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD.

The findings mentioned span the period from a La Tène settlement to the agricultural estate of the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD and the settlement traces from the 9th to 13th centuries. Together with the later history of the church, they provide distinct topics that can be clearly differentiated by period. The names “între Apoalde,” “Apold,” and “Curtea Velii” help distinguish the respective findings.

Routes and Landscape

Apoldu de Sus is a stop on Route 2 of the “Drumul sării – Țara Secașelor” circular route. The route is recommended for cycling tourism and passes through the town. Apoldu de Sus is also a stop on the scenic “Drumul transhumanţei” route. The routes thus offer two different thematic approaches: one is explicitly recommended for cycling tourism, while the other is described as scenic.

A walk led through a nearby forest back to the vineyards of Apoldu de Sus, with views of the hills of Țara Secașelor toward Amnaș and Aciliu. The forest, vineyards, and hilly landscape formed a continuous sequence of impressions. During this tour, participants were served beef goulash, polenta, and homemade pickled sides at Domeniul Apoldium.

Wine and Local Events

The range at Domeniul Apoldium includes Landler, Fetească Albă, Pinot Gris, Riesling Italian, Sauvignon Blanc, and Fetească Neagră, among others. Fetească Neagră is offered in rosé, red wine, and barrique varieties. The selection may change. If you are particularly interested in the variety of wines, the grape varieties and versions listed provide a specific reference point for distinguishing between different names and styles.

Vinotopia is also part of the town’s more recent event history: the event was held in Apoldu de Sus for the fourth time on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The Saxon community of Apoldu de Sus took an active part.

Discover more destinations: Vale, Șura Mică, Cârţişoara, Biertan, Mohu, Städterdorf, Bazna, Slimnic

For the broader travel overview: Hermannstadt.