Saxon heritage items stolen from Cincșor fortified church

Five pieces of traditional Saxon folk costume have been stolen from the “Wearing Transylvania: Saxon Presence” exhibition, held at the fortified church in Cincșor, Romania. Additionally, the central embroidery piece of the exhibition was found torn.

The stolen items include historical artifacts such as a 1924 cotton kerchief belonging to Susana Dutsch, a 1903 cotton handkerchief with a double-headed eagle motif belonging to Maria Hattmen, a black silk headscarf from a Landler costume in Großpold, and a black silk velvet headscarf from Tartlau. A complete clothing ensemble from the Mediaș region, featuring a white shirt, black apron, and mourning ribbons, was also taken.

Organizers from the Drăgaica Roșie Collection described the items as “sewn biographies” rather than mere textiles, noting they represent fragments of sets preserved across generations. The organizers have appealed to the public for information to help recover the pieces, suggesting that items could be returned anonymously.