The only inhabited European medieval citadel – Sighisoara
The past few years, we all hurry to make reservations for city breaks or vacations in museum cities, from countries that we consider to be rich in vestiges and places worth visiting. Perhaps we need to remind ourselves that, nevertheless, in Romania there are enough citadels or museum villages that deserve our full attention. And it is our duty to know our country and the wonders it possesses.
In Romania there are several fairytale medieval fortresses that you must visit. Did you know that the only medieval fortress in Europe that is still inhabited is located in our country?
The Citadel of Sighişoara, because this fortress is the historical center of the city of Sighişoara, has been included in the World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO since 1999. This happened due to the 850-year-old memories that the fortress has about the history and culture of the Transylvanian Saxons. And it is the only city in Romania that is in the UNESCO heritage. Interesting, isn’t it?
The first documentary attestation of this place dates from 1280 and was under the name of Castrum Sex. Then it had various other names, including Schassburg.
The golden age of this city was in the XV-XVII centuries, the period in which it became an important center from a cultural, political and economic point of view. And the defense system of this center included a 930 m long wall, completed by 14 defense towers and 5 artillery bastions.
Today, only 9 towers, 2 bastions and part of the inner wall remain from the defense system. But the cultural life is flourishing. The citadel is intensively visited throughout the year, not only for the beauty of the buildings, but also for the events that take place here. It is one of those few places in the world where history walks the streets dressed in medieval costumes, with shields, maces, axes or spears.
The wonderful rooster in the Clock Tower still tells what the weather will be like in the city. When the rooster is undecided and goes sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, it is clear: the weather is unstable. If the rooster’s beak is towards the fortress, it will be good weather. If the rooster’s beak is towards the town in the valley, bad news: it will rain or snow, depending on the month of the year.
There are 117 km from Brasov to Sighisoara, and on the way to the fortress you can also stop at the Rupea Fortress, which is one of the oldest in Romania. You have the map below to guide you more easily.
Because the road is marked with many other beautiful places that will convince you to visit them, we are waiting for you at Hotel Alpin Poiana Brasov for an enriched meal before you leave. The Forest Lounge restaurant awaits you with traditional Romanian dishes, which will introduce you to the authentic atmosphere of the past.
This year you have the opportunity to offer your loved one the most beautiful gift of March (Mărțișor), a weekend at Alpin where you can benefit from our offer, accompanied by a walk to the destination full of history and architectural beauty, which we presented in this article.
We are waiting for you!
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