Raport arheologic: Sântimbru/comuna: Sântimbru/județul: Alba/punct: Biserica Reformată (2004)

The medieval church at Sântimbru (Alba county) represents one of the most popular historic monuments of Transylvania. Originally, this was the church of a Roman-Catholic village community that after the middle of the 16th century adopted the Reformation. The archaeological research focused on questions concerning the type of building, the limits of the graveyard and the enclosure surrounding it. We revealed an earlier phase in the evolution of the monument (identified as Romanesque, and visible in the nave), and also made observations as regards the previous interventions made by the heritage committees. The results of the archaeological investigations revealed the existence of a church displaying features of Romanesque style (mostly carved stones), dating back to the second half of the 13th century and being dedicated to Saint Emeric. It was a relatively small church. Apparently, the nave had the same width as today and was closed by an even smaller apse, probably semicircular. The building material for the early construction was largely provided by the ruins of a nearby Roman villa rustica, including carved stones.