Sighișoara – A Photo Journey

Sighișoara is a medieval citadel in the Transylvanian region of Romania. It’s one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe and with it’s charm became a UNESCO world heritage site. This small fortified city was built by the Saxons in the 12th century. The old town is situated in the hilltop citadel and is mainly pedestrianised, with ice cream coloured houses which are full of history, cafes and other amazing places to visit. One day will probably suffice for exploring the cobbled streets by foot.

Rainbow coloured houses

Vineyards on the street

Back in time

Central Plaza

View from the Clock Tower

One of Sighisoara’s Streets

Colourful windows

 

The Citadel History:

From a total of 14 towers, 9 are still left standing around the citadel. These are the Clock Tower, Tanners Tower, Shoemakers Tower, Tinsmiths’ Tower, Butchers’ Tower, Tailors’ Tower, Furriers’ Tower, Ironsmiths’ Tower and Ropemakers’ Tower. Although all of these had the role of defending the citadel, nowadays they have been converted to serve different purposes, from a museum to housing the local radio station and the home of the cemetery caretaker.

Clock Tower

Archways in Sighisoara

Bootmakers Tower from across the plaza

Bootmakers Tower

From inside the wall

 

Clock Tower

This is the symbol of Sighișoara and the most visited place in Mures county. The Clock Tower is the most impressive of the 9 towers and it can be seen from almost every corner of the citadel. The main purpose of this tower was to defend the main gate against enemies. Until 1556 this also served as the City Hall. The clock was made in Switzerland and is decorated with 7 sculptures made out of linden wood which represent the week days. In 1964 the tower was upgraded to use an electric motor but it’s  charm remains unchanged. On each level as you climb to the top, there are different bits of the town’s history making up the History Musem of Sighișoara.

Old buildings with the Clock tower as backdrop

Panorama from the Tower

Clock Tower rising above buildings

Clock Tower

Our compass far away from home

Another view from the Clock Tower

 

Church on The Hill – Covered Stairway

One option to get to the Church on the Hill is walking through the covered stairway which is also known as the “Scholars’ stairway”. This stairway was built in 1662 and it had initially 300 stairs after witch it was modified in 1849 to 175 stairs. The foundation of this stairway is made of stone, the walls are made of wood and the top is made of shingle. The children used this route to get to school and for their protection the stairway was covered. During the night, walking through this stairway can be a bit spooky but that did not stop us from exploring.

Covered staircase

Ropemakers Tower

Flowers on a bike

Colourful bench

House and Garden in Sighisoara

Houses and a Dacia

 

The Birthplace of Vlad Dracul

Vlad the Impelar, aka Dracula is known among tourists due to Bram Stoker’s novel. Even if he didn’t lived in Bran, this castle is one of the top most visited destinations in Romania. It may came as a surprise for you that Sighișoara is the birthplace of Vlad, his house being exactly in the town square.

In this house Dracula never entered

Pink building in Sighisoara

Dracula’s House

Being really well preserved and a prime example of Carpathian medieval fortifications, Sighișoara is a citadel worth visiting during your Transylvanian excursions.

Clock Tower at Night

Streets at night

Another pedestrian street at night

Night shot of the streets

Sighișoara is a medieval citadel in the Transylvanian region of Romania. It's one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe and with it's charm became a UNESCO world heritage site.

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20 Comments

  1. December 16, 2016 / 9:30 am

    Your photos of Sighisoara really do it justice and it looks so charming. We have visited, but it was late at night for a halloween party and although we had some of the next morning to explore, with a heavy head from the previous night’s revelry, sadly we didn’t see as much as we would have liked. We walked up the covered stairway to the church on the hill though and sampled a hot chocolated in one of fhe delightful coloured buildings. I really need to go back here and appreciate it more so thank you for sharing your wonderful photos and information with us. #feetdotravel

    • Oana N
      Author
      November 15, 2017 / 9:10 pm

      I bet celebrating Halloween in Sighisoara was an amazing experience for you guys. There is always a second time for everything so hopefully you will return soon to discover more about Sighisoara.

  2. December 16, 2016 / 10:54 am

    Looks an interesting place to visit. Romania has never really been on our radar but is now. Great photos! #fettdotravel

    • Oana N
      Author
      November 15, 2017 / 9:11 pm

      Paul and Carole, you will love Romania for sure. Hope you will get the chance to visit one day.

  3. December 17, 2016 / 2:39 am

    Oh wow! Sighișoara looks amazing I have definitely added Transylvanian and Romania to my bucket list. I have never been anywhere like this and I absolutely love the history, the towers and the “ice cream coloured houses” (love this description!)

  4. December 17, 2016 / 3:40 am

    Absolutely fantastic photos! These photos really do send you on a journey. After reading your post and seeing the pictures. I felt as if I was there. You did a great job of capturing Sighisoara. My two favorite photo’s would have to be the rainbow colored houses and the second view from the clock tower. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  5. December 17, 2016 / 7:06 pm

    Sighișoara looks absolutely delightful! Its now on my list, thank you for sharing!

    • Oana N
      Author
      November 15, 2017 / 9:06 pm

      Hi Garth, glad you added Sighisoara on your bucket list.

  6. December 18, 2016 / 12:30 am

    This town looks like it is straight out of a historic movie! I love how much history there is in Europe. I am 100% certain I would love strolling the cobblestone paths and seeing the colorful buildings. Thanks for sharing your marvelous photos!

  7. Jenn | By Land and Sea
    December 18, 2016 / 2:22 pm

    This is a lovely photo essay! I really enjoyed seeing the pictures – the birthplace of Vlad Dracul and the street vineyards were my favorites!

  8. December 18, 2016 / 6:30 pm

    I always love your posts and this is exception. Your photos and descriptions pull me into your location, making me feel like I am there with you when you visit. The photos are excellent and capture the look and feel of Sighisoara brilliantly. Seeing Dracula’s birthplace is also a new touch! Thank you for this wonderful post, I have pinned it for later 🙂

  9. December 18, 2016 / 8:39 pm

    What an interesting place to visit – I love the coloured houses especially the orange one! Not sure I would want to walk up those stairs – it looks spooky in daylight!! I have not yet visited Romania but hope to one day! #feetdotravel

  10. December 18, 2016 / 8:53 pm

    I never thought of visiting Romania but your pictures are very enticing. The town looks very interesting and a lot of history to be found. Thanks for sharing I will pin for future.

  11. December 19, 2016 / 1:59 am

    Very nice photo journey! The photos I believe represents the spirit of the place 🙂 I like to have a walk in such places and discover all the corners 🙂

  12. December 20, 2016 / 2:28 pm

    Love this medieval city of Sighișoara with its cobblestone streets and beautiful colorful homes. Wonderful history and stunning photos that captured the city beautifully. My favorite is the clock tower and the lovely views. The nights photos are great too. I will pin this for later use. Thanks for Sharing 🙂 #feetdotravel

  13. December 22, 2016 / 10:43 pm

    Wow, absolutely stunning photos and it looks like an incredible place. So timeless with its cobbled streets and preserved houses. I have never been to Romania but I will definitely need to visit Sighisoara when I do eventually go. Love the clock tower and those amazing views!

  14. August 29, 2017 / 8:39 pm

    The photos are very beautiful, they capturle perfectly the colorful and medieval atmosphere of Sighisoara. The view from the Clock Tower is a “classic” shot, as the tower is the town’s landmark, but nevertheless beautiful.

    • Oana N
      Author
      September 20, 2017 / 9:45 pm

      Hi Luminita, glad you enjoyed our photo journey. The view from the tower may be a classic shot but is nevertheless gorgeous.

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