Sighisoara (Sighişoara) - one of the most picturesque cities in Romania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The city stands on a hill above the river of Tarnava Mare, 175 km north-west of Bucharest. Every year, in July, Sighisoara hosts a colorful medieval festival: with concerts, performances and a full immersion in those old times.

A bit of history

Sighisoara is known in history under the German name Schößburg and the Hungarian - Shegesvar (Segesvár). The city was founded in the 13th century by German colonists from Saxony who erected a medieval fortress, several churches and the famous Clock Tower with a height of 64 meters in the hill.

In the 14th century, Schösburg became a free city, and by the 16th century - one of the leading trade centers of Eastern Europe. In the 15th century, Vlad Dracula, expelled from Walachia, minted a coin in the city.

The lower part of the city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1668 and a fire in 1676, but during the following century was rebuilt.

How to get to Sighisoara

The city can be reached by train from Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Arad, Brasov, Sibiuy and other cities of the country . In addition, international trains from Budapest, Prague, Vienna and Krakow stop here every day.

Railway station is not far from the city center, within walking distance. $ $

Entertainment, excursions and attractions Sighisoara

In the Sigisoara Citadel (12th century) all the main attractions of the city are hidden: the Clock Tower (which now houses the historical museum, and the city's open observation deck offers a beautiful view of the city), the Lutheran church at the Gothic monastery, the medieval weapon museum, the Lutheran church on the hill in the Gothic style, the house of Vlad Tepes (in which is now a restaurant, a monument to the chain.

Near the citadel, across the river, stands a beautiful white and black Orthodox church, the second - the oldest in the city (1797 od) is close to Cornesti.

Photo Sighisoara (9)