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Biertan Fortified Church
1h · Admission ticket included
From Sibiu we head towards the medieval city of Sighisoara through the Hartibaciu Valley road, crossing old Saxon villages and passing through deep forests.
Our first stop is at Biertan fortified Church – a UNESCO World Heritage monument. Biertan village was for centuries the seat of the Lutheran bishopric and that is why the local church is protected by so impressive fortifications. Built from 1486 to 1524, Biertan church has impressive defense walls, a beautiful nave ceiling, a collection of tombstones of former bishops and notabilities.
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Centrul Istoric Sighisoara
2h · Admission ticket included
The medieval citadel of Sighisoara – UNESCO site – is close to Biertan. It takes about two hours to visit the citadel: the Clock Tower of Sighisoara, the Church on the Hill, the Stairs, the fortifications and their towers. Sighisoara was also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler – the grandson of Mircea the Elder (the founder of the Cozia Monastery we visited the day before). After our lunch in Sighisoara, we leave for Brasov.
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Saxon Church
Pass by
In our way from Sighisoara to Brasov we gaze at Saschiz fortified church - UNESCO World Heritage monument - built at the end of XVth century with a tower reminding us the Clock Tower of Sighisoara we have just seen.
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Cetatea Rupea
Pass by
In our way from Sighisoara to Brasov, after Saschiz fortified church, we also catch sight of the Rupea fortress, one of the oldest fortifications in Romania (built over preexisting Roman and Dacian fortresses).
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Brasov Historical Center
2h · Admission ticket included
With a strong industry during the past century, Brasov was a magnet for people from all around the country and has become one of the most vibrant Romanian cities. This booming city has been developed around the initial fortress established in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights and later on, after a quarrel between the knights and the king, by German settlers. Once in Brasov, after the check-in, we visit the impressive Black Church – a 14-th century Gothic monument, the fortifications, bastions and towers of the medieval fortress, the curious Rope Street (maybe the narrowest street in the world).
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Rasnov Citadel: Garden and Panoramic View
Pass by
On our way from Brasov to Bran we admire from afar the Rasnov fortress, built on XIII century, probably during the short ruling of the area around Brasov by the Teutonic Knigths (1211-1225).
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Bran Castle
2h · Admission ticket included
We visit the Bran Castle, built in the 14th century to guard the strategic commercial route between Walachia and Transylvania. ”Built on the corner of a great rock, so that on three sides it was quite impregnable, on the very edge of a terrific precipice”, the Bran Castle was quickly identified as the place of the nefarious actions of Count Dracula.
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Peles Castle
2h · Admission ticket included
Early afternoon we arrive at Sinaia, just in time to visit the Peles Castle, built at the end of 19-th century. This flamboyant castle is in such a stark contrast with the austere character of its founder: the first King of Romania, the sober Carol I of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (1839-1914), of German origins.
Fully committed to the modernization of Romania, Carol I ruled for 48 years, ”wearing the crown even while he was sleeping”, as his Queen, Elisabeth, said.
