Satul Criţ este un un bun popas in calatoria de explorare a vechilor asezari sasesti din jurul Sighisoarei. Locul este mai linistit, satul fiind retras de la soseaua nationala, si un numar de case frumoase vechi, renovate, gazduiesc turisti veniti pentru odihna sau ture de biciclete.
Prin Criţ trece si Via Transilvanica, un traseu de drumetie marcat prin borne de piatra sculptate care traverseaza Romania. Una din borne este amplasata aproape de biserica fortificata.
Numele Criţ isi are provenienta in numele vechii biserici inchinate Sf. Cruci, prezenta in primele documente care mentioneaza asezarea, din 1270. Aceasta biserica nu s-a pastrat, dar in biserica actuala, construita dupa 1810 si renovata, o strană aflată în tribuna superioară are pictată pe una din tăbliile sale o bisericuţă care ar putea să fie o reprezentare aproximativă a vechii biserici.
Biserica este renovata in 2013 si adaposteste o orga cu 1450 de tuburi, construită în anul 1813 de Johann Tois din Râșnov. La inițiativa Fundației Michael Schmidt s-a demarat în anul 2011 restaurarea acestei orgi istorice, având sprijinul activ al Asociatiei Saşilori plecaţi din Criț în Germania. Operațiunile de restaurare au fost efectuate la atelierul din Hărman de către experții Barbara Dutli şi Ferdinand Stemmer din Elveţia. După restaurare, biserica evanghelică din Criț a devenit gazda a numeroase concerte care abordează stiluri muzicale diferite și în cadrul cărora orga restaurată joacă rolul central.
Incinta fortificata a bisericii, datand din secolul XV, are un plan oval care urmeaza forma neregulata a dealului pe care este construita. Sunt pastrate zidurile, cu detalii de metereze si guri de turnare, si patru din cele cinci turnuri initiale. Numarul de turnuri ar fi corespuns strazilor care duceau la biserica. O anecdota locala spune ca duminica un mester fierar era pregatit sus in incinta pentru a repara tocurile inalte ale femeilor venite la slujba - care se rupeau des pe caldaramul din pietre rotunde de rau. In incinta poate fi vizitata o mica expozitie cu obiecte de epoca.
.....
Criţ village is a great stop when exploring the old Saxon settlements around Sighisoara. The place is quiet, the village being away from the national road. A number of renovated beautiful old houses host tourists who come for rest or bicicle rides.
Via Transilvanica also passes through Criţ. This is a hiking route marked by carved stone pillars ,crossing the whole of Romania. One of the pillars is located near the fortified church.
The name Criţ has its origin in the name of the old church dedicated to the Holy Cross, present in the first documents mentioning the settlement, from 1270. This old church does not longer exist, but in the current church, built after 1810 and renovated, a pew in the upper gallery shows a small church painting that could be an approximate representation of the old church.
The church was renovated in 2013 and houses an organ with 1450 tubes, built in 1813 by Johann Tois from Râșnov. At the initiative of the Michael Schmidt Foundation, restoration of this historic organ was started in 2011, with the active support of the Saxons who left Crit for Germany Association. The restoration operations were carried out at the workshop in Harman by experts Barbara Dutli and Ferdinand Stemmer from Switzerland. After the restoration, the evangelical church in Crit became the host of many concerts that address different musical styles and in which the restored organ plays the central role.
The fortified precinct of the church, dating from the 15th century, has an oval plan that follows the irregular shape of the hill on which it is built. The walls are well preserved, with details of ramparts and pouring holes, and four of the five initial towers. The number of towers would have corresponded to the streets leading to the church. A local anecdote tells that on Sunday a blacksmith was trained upstairs to repair the high heels of women who came to church - who often broke on the cobblestones made of round river stones. Inside you can visit a small exhibition of antiques.