Imagine you have a big house where you live with your family and friends. But sometimes, there are bad people who want to come and hurt you and your family. To protect yourselves, you may build big walls around your house and add extra security measures like locks on the doors and windows.
Now think about a church in a small town a long time ago. People used to come from all around to pray and worship there. But there were also some bad people who wanted to attack and steal from them. So to keep themselves safe, they decided to build a very strong church that would also serve as a fortress.
This church was called a fortified church. It had thick walls, strong towers and sturdy gates that could withstand attacks from enemies. People could retreat inside the church during times of danger and have a safe place to wait until things calmed down.
Inside the church, there were also hidden passages, trapdoors, and secret rooms where people could hide if the enemy managed to breach the defenses. There were also places where people could store food, water, and other supplies.
Fortified churches were an important part of history as they provided safety and protection for people during times of war and conflict. Some of these churches still exist today and are a reminder of the past and the need for safety and security in dangerous times.