As the second millennium begins the story of the Saxon settlers in Transylvania assumes a particular historic pertinence. For nearly a thousand years, these stalwart people from the Rhine valley and thereabouts played a key role in the diaspora in the second half of this century. Fortresses of Faith focuses on their magnificent architectural legacy -the fortress- churches or kirchenburngen of the Seibenburgen. After a comprehensive introduction covering history, architecture, and dcor, the author takes us on an enthralling photographic tour, helpfully arranged for travelers into the areas surrounding Sibiu, Medias, Sighisoara, Brasov. His black and white photographs poignantly capture the moody images of these stone war-horses of Christendom; many of which are now without congregations and prey to the dilapidation of time. This book is a superb photographic record with a broad appeal to overseas descendants of Transylvania Saxons, tourist and students of Romanian history. This is the