"Sighisoara - the medieval reminiscence" Sighisoara by codrutz

Sighisoara Travel Guide: 392 reviews and 1,070 photos

Sighisoara has always fascinated its visitors by its picturesque by-streets, houses, bastions, towers, churches; besides, it is the birthplace of a both historical and legendary hero Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. Narrow lanes winding towards the fortress, church towers, donjons, covered stairs, arched and tunnel fronted houses make up a rich and unique out-door medieval museum.

Alledgedly built in 1191, but found in documents of the time only in 1280 under the name of "Castrum Sex" (Fort Six), then by the german name Schespurch (1298), and only later, in 1431, in a written document issued by Vlad Dracul - Vlad the Impaler's father, it was given the actual name of Sighisoara (Schaessburg, Segesvar).

Sighisoara is no doubt the best preserved fortified town in Transylvania, with a beautiful and authentic medieval architecture. It was built by german colonists in order to defend the former borders of the hungarian kingdom during the 12th-13th centuries. Counting 36,486 inhabitants (1995), Sighisoara lies in the valley of the Tarnava Mare river. The medieval stronghold was built on top of a hill, surrounded by forests, and known as the "Hill of the Fortress". The superb natural background against which Sighisoara was set made people call it "a gem of Transylvania" or "a pearl of the Tarnava river".

Sighisoara - the medieval reminiscence - Sighisoara

Read a more detailed history of Sighisoara in my travelogues: History (part one) and History (part two)

Check out my tips to find out more about this UNESCO Patrimony location.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:Best preserved medieval fortress in Romania

Last visit to Sighisoara: Sep 2010
Intro Updated Dec 28, 2010
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Reviews (18)

Check it out Hotels (1)

Hotel Sighisoara looks good from outside. Can't really recommend it because I never stayed there, but I guess it's nice... more travel advice

Covered wooden stair from 1642 - Sighisoara

Covered wooden stair from 1642 Things to Do (15)

One interesting landmark of Sighisoara is the covered wooden stairs than was built back in 1642 and which goes up the... more travel advice

Towers and gates Things to Do (15)

Seing again Sighisoara after visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany made me see the similarities. There are also... more travel advice

Sighisoara Festival Things to Do (15)

During summer time, in Sighisoara there is a well known festival which brings back old times back to the fortress.... more travel advice

Favorites (2)
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Travelogues (3)

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Comments (21)

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IreneMcKay Mar 26, 2011 at 10:50 PM

Interesting page. Sighisoara looks beautiful and well worth a visit.
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mariaschmidt Jun 12, 2009 at 7:55 AM

I have stayed there in 2004 and it was very nice. The location is excellent and we had a nice room facing the square. It also has a nice restaurant and bar and garden
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babettu Nov 20, 2007 at 9:54 AM

We have beautiful memories of Sighisoara ! ! !
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marcbrazil Nov 18, 2007 at 5:30 AM

Romania is not a popular destination for brazilian and reading your pages, they simply do not know what they are missing!!!
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HORSCHECK Oct 4, 2007 at 2:13 PM

Lovely little page about this Romanian gem. We might visit Sighisoara in a daytrip from Brasov.
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adema29 Mar 18, 2007 at 2:08 AM

Excelenta pagina! Avem si noi de ceva vreme Sighisoara "pe lista", dar inca nu am reusit sa ajungem acolo...
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mvtouring Sep 8, 2006 at 12:37 AM

Coming to visit your country in December and Sighisoara is one my itenary.
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iandsmith Jul 17, 2006 at 3:17 PM

Never heard of it before, I'll have to put it on my list. Being a sportsperson myself, I sure hope your recovery goes well. You sure got a nasty one this time. Cheers from down under
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calcaf38 Mar 25, 2006 at 3:21 PM

What a beautiful page you've put together. It certainly will bring a lot of VTers to Sighisoara. Congratulations!
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SanguiniA Nov 10, 2005 at 2:02 AM

Wonderful photos of such an amazing place. So sad I missed it but time was tight!!!! Really detailed info - great work!