The town of Sighisoara – Schäsbrich in Saxon, Segesvár in Hungarian – although a small town, has nothing different at first sight from any other town of Romania: the well-known communist blocks of flats, some new supermarkets, an industrial area… But what makes it different, even unique in Europe is its historical center founded by the ethnic Saxons in the 13th century and included now in the UNESCO heritage. The medieval town is built on two levels, the upper one being situated on a hill and surrounded by walls and defense towers.

This “medieval citadel” with narrow little streets, historical houses built centuries ago, painted in bright colours, with churches built in Gothic style, with guest houses and restaurants serving traditional food, is still an inhabited fortress and this makes it unique in Romania. The house in which the famous king Vlad Dracula was born in the 15th century is also situated inside the fortress, nowadays being changed into a restaurant.

During this tour with the departure from Brașov and arrival in Brașov, I suggest other attractions that can be visited, between Brașov and Sighisoara if not as famous as the first ones, at least as interesting and amazing.

Marienburg fortress – Feldioara in Romanian and Földvár in Hungarian – situated at 20 kilometers from Brașov on the way to Sighisoara was built at the beginning of the 13th century by the Teutonic knights being used as their headquarter in Transylvania. During the centuries it was partially destroyed and then reconstructed many times. The last restoration was achieved between 2013 and 2017, in this way the fortress being saved from a slow but sure destruction.

Rupea Fortress, at about half the distance between Brașov and Sighisoara was built and expanded by the Saxons, between the 14th and the 17th centuries, on the Cohalm hill (the name coming from the volcanic rock called “Cohalm” of which the hill is made up). It was built for defence and refugee in case the enemies’ attacks. The fortress was renovated between 2010-2012 and it is an imposing presence on the national road.

The village of Viscri, included too in the UNESCO heritage is situated in a remote place, about 5 kilometers from the national road. One of the first churches built by the ethnic Saxons at the beginning of the 13th century based on a romantic basilica from the 12th century can be found here too. The village became famous especially after Prince Charles, the heir to the British crown, bought a traditional house here and by means of a foundation he helped the correct restoring and saving, historically speaking, of many houses which were in a severe degradation.

The tour can be made in just one day.