Author name: Michael

Everyone has heard of Transylvania. In addition to the fame surrounding Dracula and his castle, the Transylvania region is home to many beautiful towns, such as Brasov, Timisoara, Arad, and Sibiu. A journey through the Transylvania region of Romania could not be considered complete without a visit to Sibiu. Dubbed in 2007 as the European Cultural Capital, Sibiu is a beautiful city, once walled-in with a mixed historical architecture native to Romania itself, combined with that of the Austro-Hungarian emporium, and modern day. Sibiu has two very picturesque town plazas; Piaţa Mare and Piaţa Mica (large plaza and small plaza), laden with artisan stone foundations, accent lighting and the symbolic clock tower. Right in the heart of the plaza is the famous “liar’s bridge”, earning its name by way of a beautiful view that has enticed many romantics over the years to profess eternal love. As one might guess, the promised “forever” is, for some, replaced with the accusation of “liar” at some point in the future. Piaţa Mare and Piaţa Mica are adjacent and easily passed between on foot. Piaţa Mare is a large open square surrounded by colorful buildings with roofs which give the appearance of eyes looking over the plaza that taunt a child’s fairy tale imagination. Piaţa Mare has a museum, a water fountain in the middle, and brings on an additional layer of picturesque appeal as night falls and the plaza lighting comes on. Piaţa Mica is attractive with patios, restaurants and outdoor dining in a historic setting that has hosted visitors for centuries. Piaţa Mare and Piaţa Mica are certainly attractive, however there is much more of Sibiu to see as well. Leave the ancient cobblestone neighborhoods and walk the city along modern streets. Notice the old fortress walls you pass through, and venture towards the park and into a neighborhood architecture and landscape of yet another era. Just outside of Sibiu is the Complexul National Muzeal ASTRA “Astra National Museum Complex,” which is an all-day must see. The outdoor walking museum is vast with homes that have been transported in from all regions of the country, displaying and preserving Romania’s diverse regional heritage. You can enter the homes, and the “retirees” who proudly maintain them will happily explain to you how they were built and the tools used. Entrance fees range from 3.5 to 15 lei depending on age, about US $1 to $4.50. Get an early start and plan to spend an entire day. Be sure to have plenty of space available on the camera card (we took over 400 pictures!). En route back to the heart of Sibiu from the museum is a large park, great for the walk and people watching. During our stay at Hostel Felinarul in Sibiu, we met fellow travelers who, when asked why Romania, stated they wished to see it before too many changes take place. Traveling through Eastern Europe it is common to meet travelers who will tell you that they have seen much of Western Europe in the past, so are now visiting the eastern region before it is overrun with tourist development. This statement was a common thread we heard echoed by travelers we met not only during our stay in Sibiu, but also in Budapest, Brasov, and Bucharest.  As former communist Eastern European countries now have open borders, it is possible and easy to visit them, and great time to do so. Hundreds, if not thousands of years of history and culture dot the lands. Romania is a perfect example; a beautiful country, rich with a diverse landscape and architecture. Ranked No. 8 on Forbes Magazine’s list of Europe’s Most Idyllic Places to Live, and easy to get to via train, bus, or car, Sibiu should definitely be on the list. Images from Sibiu:

Sighişoara is a walled in medieval citadel nestled at the base of the Carpathians, in central Romania. Part of the Transylvania region, Sighişoara is colorful and picturesque, exuding history and legends that date back to the 12th century. For those with an affinity for castles, fortified cities, and ancient ruins, Sighişoara has to be on the list. History and legends of Sighişoara being mentioned , we have to  note that the town was the birth place of famous Prince Vlad Dracul III. Born in 1431, the Prince later became known as Vlad Ţepeș (“Vlad the Impaler”), and the source of inspiration for the main character in Bram Stoker’s legendary tale Dracula. The citadel does not encompass all of Sighişoara today, but the historic central portion. Outside of the fortified center, like most towns we visited throughout Romania, the architecture was a colorful mix of historical styles, contributed by centuries of change and culture. We were in Sighişoara in September, a great time to visit, yet too late for the famous medieval festival that takes place each year in the final week of July. Additionally, during our visit a movie set was in the process of filming, blocking access to one of the main streets and, unfortunately, entrance to the clock tower. I uttered something between us about speaking with the local officials (I hadn’t had breakfast or coffee yet). I wouldn’t have of course, but Miha was quick to make sure I understood that would not be an option to consider. So we proceeded to continue our pre-breakfast morning walk with a climb up a staircase built in 1642 to a school at the top the hill. At the top of the staircase was this little boy, quietly sweeping the stairs, stepping aside for people to pass, yet asking no one for anything. Miha asked him if we could offer him some money in exchange for directions, tour advice, and a few photos. He agreed, enthusiastically pointed out a walking path, suggesting it would be good for photos, and and gave us what has become one of our favorite people photos. Sighişoara, like the 14th-15th century hand painted monasteries, is one of Romania’s seven sites listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and it is easy to see why. Described by UNESCO: “Sighisoara is an outstanding testimony to the culture of the Transylvanian Saxons, a culture that is coming to a close after 850 years and will continue to exist only through its architectural and urban monuments. . .”  As Romania and much of the world has opened up to tourism – and we will tour – how many places can, or will, preserve well such an authentic medieval architecture? (Provided at the end of the post are links to a list of World Heritage sites). We arrived in the evening after a day on the road which began in the northernmost town of Putna. Visiting a few more of the Romanian Monasteries in the morning we wound south over the Carpathians making a number of leisurely stops. The last leg of the drive took us through Bicaz and into the dark (very dark) winding mountain road and then down into Sighişoara. We spent the night at Aquaris Pensiune, which was clean and comfortable. Thanks to the friendly service we even got a late night pizza. In the morning we walked across the bridge into the fortified town. Sighişoara is popular with tourists and I found the café menus and prices reflective of such. Not excessively, but quite similar in standard menu options and prices one might find in any US town. Running short on time, we only spent a day in Sighişoara. Bran, Rasnov, and Bucureşti were still on the list and we had to be in Istanbul in just a few days. I will look forward to visiting Sighişoara again. Note: In addition to hotel rooms, Aquaris Pensiune also has campsites, cabins and a large pool. To read more about our experience at Aquaris Pensiune, click here. World Heritage Sites in Romania World Heritage Sites Worldwide Additional Photos of Sighişoara: